GOD HEARS THE HUMBLE - 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (10/23/2022) - Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans

by Al Mansfield

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
October 23, 2022
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18: 9-14
GOD HEARS THE HUMBLE
We all want God to hear our prayers. Today we get a lesson in how that happens. The "secret ingredient" is humility.
SIRACH
Our first reading tells us that the Lord hears the oppressed, the orphan, the widow. "The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds." Sirach assures us that the Lord will respond and will not delay.
The Responsorial, Psalm 34, emphasizes this same truth: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor."
GOSPEL
Today's gospel is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, found only in St. Luke. It is one of the best-known of all the parables, contrasting the pride of the Pharisee with the humility of the tax collector. The Pharisee thanked God that he was so much more righteous than others, "even like this tax collector."
The tax collector stood at a distance and would not dare to raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast and prayed, "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
The gospel makes it clear that it is the tax collector who "went home justified." Some time ago, after thinking over this passage, I started praying the tax collector's prayer at Mass, asking the Lord that I too might go home from church "justified."
2 TIMOTHY
In our second reading today, St. Paul is talking about his martyrdom drawing closer. He approaches it with faith, courage, and confidence. He is awaiting the "crown of righteousness" that is awaiting him.
Would that the Lord would grant us all the grace to approach our own dissolution as St. Paul approached his!
HUMBLE YOURSELF
Our challenge on this Sunday is simple but difficult: to humble ourselves. Our readings present the benefits of humility - God hears our prayers and allows us to "go home justified."
The Lord gives each of us a choice - either to humble yourself or to be humbled. And, as many have discovered (including me), going down on your own is a whole lot easier and less painful than the alternative!