Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
April 2, 2011
To see the readings, click here:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/040211.shtml
Today's gospel is another one that gives me pause about this whole Lenten blog idea. In it, Jesus tells the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the temple to pray. Of course, in typical parable fashion, it is the tax collector who is praised. He stands back in a corner, humbly, beating his breast contritely. The Pharisee, on the other hand, prayed in a way that was more like bragging, thanking God that he was better than others.
The New Testament is full of parables and stories that tell us not to be like the Pharisees. I find as I get older, I have a lot of empathy for them. Pride is a really easy sin to fall into, and it takes constant vigilance to fight it off. I think it's because we humans are by nature so needy. At some level, we're constantly seeking attention and affirmation. And because of that, when we do get some little thing right, when we find that we CAN do something we set out to do, it's so easy to overreact and get full of ourselves. And sadly, that is as true when what we get right is following some of God's commandments as it is when we shoot a lot of baskets or make a lot of money.
All of that background about how humans are only makes the humility of the tax collector even more impressive. He went in to the temple knowing that everyone in the community hated him, and that they hated him legitimately for things he had done. He knows that he has nothing going for him. He bows his head and begs for mercy. And I would argue that just because he has nothing going for him, that still doesn't mean that humility came easy. It is pretty much contrary to human nature.
Of course, the point of studying these readings is to think about how to apply them to our own life. I don't know anyone who goes into church and prays loudly, thanking God that he or she is better than others. So I think the application must be a little more subtle. I will say this: I sing in the choir, and in that visible role I think there are extra temptations to the sin of pride. I have long thought that those who participate in the more visible ministries like choir, ushers, lectors, cantors, Eucharistic Ministers and the like have to take extra care. It is easy to slip into doing those good things for bad reasons, or at least to take an unhealthy pride in them. Similarly, just being a church going person can bring with it the temptation to feel just a little superior to those who don't go to church, or who only show up on Christmas or Easter. We all need to remember that if the trip we need to make to keep God's commandments is a journey of 1,000 miles, all our good works together add up to about a walk halfway down the block: not really enough to make much difference. The fact that God loves us anyway is all that matters.
Father, thank you for this call to humility. Help us to keep our focus on you and do all that we can to give you glory without trying to take any for ourselves. Watch over us as we walk this Lenten journey and help us to prepare ourselves according to your will. We ask a special blessing on those who are ill, who care for ill loved ones, who have lost a loved one, and for those who are in crisis. Bless them and help us to be open to their needs and give as you have given to us. Amen
