October 27, 2013

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150
Reading 1 SIR 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.

God is no respecter of persons (Rom 2:6-11). 

Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.

God knows that many of the weak and poor have brought it upon themselves and are suffering as a consequence of their  own sins.  But God also knows that many of the poor and destitute are suffering as a result of oppression by the rich (James 2:6).

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.

He who does the Will of God is heard by God (James 4:3-6).

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.

The prayer of the lowly is the prayer of the humble man who falls on his knees before God.  Whether he be rich or poor.  And that man's prayers will be heard in the heights of heaven, where God judges justly the souls of all men.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (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.

God hears the cry of the poor in Spirit.  Those who humble themselves before Him and realize that we are less than specks of dust compared to His Majesty.

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.

St. Paul realizes that he is getting old and will be passing soon from this life.  And his life is a "libation" and offering unto God for the sins of those in the Church.

I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.

Before, St. Paul was not certain if he would be saved (1 Cor 9:27). But now, he must have received a message from God confirming his salvation.

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.

And therefore, because of his perseverance, God will crown him with the crown of righteousness which is salvation.  And along with him all who longed for the appearance of Christ.

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.

At first, St. Paul felt deserted when he was brought to trial by the pagans.  But God remained with him and gave him strength.  And his faith remained in God to save him here on this earth and bring him home to heaven.

Gospel LK 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.

Jesus spoke to those in the crowd who thought they were beyond reproach and judged themselves holier than others.

"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.’

Two people went to the Temple.  One of them looked around and considered himself holier than everyone else.  His prayer amounted to a boasting about all the things he had done for God.

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.'

The other person, would not even look up.  He was so repentant that his sorrow for his sins could not bring him to look at anyone else.  All he could do was look down at the ground. 

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."

The braggart was not justified before God.  But the lowly man was justified.  Let us all approach the Throne of God with fear and humility.  Because we must hope in the mercy of God.  We can not save ourselves by our faith alone nor by our faith and works.  God is the Judge who judges whether we are holy enough to enter heaven (Matt 7:21).