PIERCING the HEAVENS

PIERCING the HEAVENS

(a reflection on Sunday Readings, Oct. 27, 2013)
by Judy Morss

The readings for today remind us that God does indeed hear our prayers. He meets us where we are.

          In the first reading from Sirach 35: 12-14,16-18, God is pictured as having ears to hear us and that He does not play favorites.  After that first sentence, we learn much more about God's attention to our prayers.  He listens very attentively to the poor, the orphans, the widow and others who are distressed.  I love the image of these prayers "piercing the heavens" as those prayers rise up to heaven. It makes me think of that shaft of sunlight that pierces the sky on a cloudy day.

          In the Gospel of today, Luke 18:9-14, we receive a better understanding of prayer to God. There certainly is a contrast between the Pharisee who

moves up close to God (so that the Pharisee can be seen by the rest of those in the temple praying.)  The Pharisee tells God all about how righteous and faithful he is and reminds God of all the rituals he observes.  It's almost as though he is "praying and adoring himself."

          What a juxtaposition between the Pharisee and the tax collector.  The tax collector stands near the back of the temple. He knows that he is a sinful man and prays to God in all honesty, asking for forgiveness and mercy.

          The big question becomes who was justified?  I think the answer is both were justified.  The big difference is that the Pharisee in his arrogance justified himself, while the tax collector was justified by God. When we approach God honestly, presenting our best and our worst self, He will forgive us and send us forth into the world to do His will. The fact that we have been forgiven does not make us perfect; in fact we will return again to God begging for and receiving forgiveness and healing. When we bring our humility and sorrow for our sins, we are forgiven again and again.  God's mercy is always there for us when we ask for it.

          Jesus says: " 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."

With peace and love,

Judy