The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
If you are anything like me, you may often smirk when you read about the Pharisees. I gleefully tell myself that I am nothing like those silly old hypocrites, because I know my sinfulness. I don’t announce to the world my good deeds. It was in the midst of this self-congratulation that I stumbled upon this verse from today’s Gospel:
“The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men [...]”
Whoops.
Without even realizing it, I have committed the same sin: I am still exalting myself, still seeking holiness through comparison rather than authentic love. The Pharisee announced his good deeds and reaping the social benefits that often accompany perceived holiness. How often am I tempted to do this; “casually” letting slip my latest act of charity? Or similarly, speaking with the intent to awe others with my wisdom rather than with the desire to lead them to Christ?
Conversely, the tax collector opened himself to ridicule by entering the temple: everyone knew who he was, and what he had done. Yet his gaze was upon the mercy of God.
I find myself asking, “why?” What made this tax collector strike his breast, eyes downcast? What made him open himself up to ridicule by entering a place where he was publicly shamed by the Pharisee?
“A greater attraction, a greater love has to inflame us in order to enable us to let go of lesser, disordered loves.” -St John of the Cross
Love was what called the tax collector to the temple, and each of us is invited to partake in it. Once he had a taste of what the Lord desires to give us, he recognized that there is nothing greater. A love so powerful that ridicule and shame are nothing in comparison.
It can be easy to get stuck and keep the focus on our failings, looking only at our brokenness. Perhaps a lot of us do this: approach the tabernacle with our eyes downcast, beating our breast, crying out, and leave in the same state.
The Lord asks in the midst of all that to open our hearts to His grace that we may know deeply the love He is longing to pour out. Let us fix our eyes on Him and rejoice in His mercy!