Reading 1
Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.
Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
Responsorial PsalmR. (7a)
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Reading 2
2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18
Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel
Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Meditation: Luke 18:9-14
“O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
Imagine the scene Jesus paints in this parable: Standing with lowered eyes behind the other men in the Temple was a tax collector. Well aware of his unworthiness, he was filled with contrition, and he was looking for forgiveness and peace with God. In front of him stood a Pharisee, a frequent visitor to the Temple. Obviously pleased with himself and expecting God to be pleased as well, he offered as his prayer a list of his achievements. He thanked God that his works placed him above others—especially above that wretched man behind him.
But Jesus said that it was the tax collector who went home justified (Luke 18:14). What did he find so pleasing in this lowly figure?
Once, when criticized for eating with other “tax collectors and sinners,” Jesus said he had come not for the healthy but for the sick (Luke 5:30-32). Of course, everyone is spiritually sick and in need of Jesus’ help. But only those with humble hearts actually see and acknowledge their need. People like the Pharisee consider themselves healthy—and through their own efforts! They are in danger of judgment because they believe that they have a right to God’s favor. Failing to see themselves as spiritually needy, they see no need for God’s grace and mercy.
What about you? Do you see yourself as beloved by God and surrounded by—and in great need of—his grace? Do you know the freedom of not having to prove your goodness to God day after day after day? Trusting in Jesus’ love and mercy rather than in our own goodness is the secret behind Paul’s words: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Today at Mass, let the Holy Spirit fill you with God’s mercy. Do your best to admit your neediness, confident that God will delight in lifting you up and send you home “justified”!
“Have mercy on me, O God, for I need you. I see my sin and want to be done with it forever. Cleanse me, Lord, that I might do your will. I love you.”
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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Sirach 35:12-14,16-18, Psalm 34:2-3,17-19,23, 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18, Luke 18:9-14)
1. In the first reading, we hear that “the one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.” How “willing” is your response to God? To what extent do you respond just out of duty versus responding out of an experience of God’s love and mercy toward you? Which one do you believe is more important or more lasting? Why?
2. Both the first reading and the responsorial psalm say that God hears the cries of the “weak,” “oppressed,” ”poor,” “lowly,” and “brokenhearted.” Why do you think this is so? Take some time now to pray for those you know who are going through difficult circumstances. Also, what additional steps can you take to care for those who are not as fortunate as yourself or those who are going through some rough times?
3. In the letter to Timothy, Paul uses a sport’s metaphor to say that he has “completed well; I have finished the race,” that is, God’s will for his life. When you look at your life, how important is it to “finish the race” God has given you? Why?
4. In the Gospel, the tax collector, whose prayer was humble and lowly, had his prayer “justified” by God, while the Pharisee did not. What are some specific qualities of humility in the short, but powerful, prayer of the tax collector? How could they be incorporated by you into your own prayer?
5. The meditation asks us these questions: “Do you see yourself as a sinner in need of grace? Or are you a good, upright person who just needs to keep improving a little bit at a time?” How would you answer these questions? The meditation goes on to say that “Trusting in Jesus’ love and mercy rather than in your own goodness is how we discover the secret behind Paul’s words: ‘When I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12:10).” Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
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