Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
October 23, 2016
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 (1).
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 (2) twice a week, and I pay tithes (3)
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 (4) went home justified, not the former (5);
for whoever exalts
(6) himself will be humbled (7), and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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The difficult words
(1)Tax collectors in Roman times were not always
honest. Since they worked for the Romans, they were hated and scorned.
(2)To fast is to give up certain foods, to
eat less as a sacrifice to God.
(3)Tithes are portions (usually 10%) of someone’s
income that are given to God (by giving to the church, or to the poor).
(4)The latter means the second one (the tax
collector). The former means the first one (the Pharisee).
(5)To exalt means to lift up and
to honor and praise.
(6)To be humbled means to be
embarrassed and put to shame.
This week’s spotlight
The readers at Mass
During the Liturgy of the Word at Mass, several people
from the assembly may be chosen to read the first reading, responsorial psalm,
and second reading. The Gospel is always read by the deacon, if there is one,
or by a priest.
Beating the breast
During certain prayers of the Mass, we "beat our
breast,” which is making a fist with the right hand and tapping it over the
heart. In the Bible, this gesture is a sign that the person recognizes his sins
and is sorry for them. It is a sign of humility and a way of asking God for
forgiveness. We use this gesture during the penitential rite (“I confess to
almighty God''), the Lamb of God (“have mercy on us"), and before
communion when we say, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you.'” As seen in
today’s Gospel, this humble gesture is pleasing to God.
Reflection
Being just in the eyes of God
Jesus tells a story about a Pharisee who
does everything he’s supposed to. He thanks God because he’s better than others
- in fact, he thinks he can’t do any better than he’s already doing. He spends
his prayer time remembering all that he has done to please God, instead of
thinking about what God has done for him, or praying for others. He has no
humility. He is keeping score with God. The Christian life isn’t a game where
we need to keep track of our good points.
The truth is that we can do nothing
without God. The Pharisee in the parable has forgotten that God is love, not a
scorekeeper. He has forgotten that he needs a savior. God wants us to remember
our need for forgiveness. Jesus invites us to trust in his mercy, like the tax
collector in the parable.
Ask God for what you need, and let God
surprise you with his love.
Discussion questions
1.What story does Jesus tell?
2.How does the Pharisee pray?
3.How does the tax collector pray?
4.What does Jesus teach his followers about prayer?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. I know
how much I need your love and forgiveness. Help me to be humble, and to trust
in your mercy.
This week…
Be humble
Humility is accepting the truth
about yourself. You have gifts, for sure, but sometimes you might be tempted to think that you are better
than others. This week, try to put others first and let them show their gifts
too!
Ask for help from the Lord
Invent new ways and attitudes
that will allow others to be in first place. You can give encouragement to
someone who is trying to do something or let someone speak out who is not very
sure of him or herself. In your prayers, ask the Lord to help you become
humble.
Word shape Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
- Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com
–usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm