Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus, in order to teach us to pray, tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The way of presenting the parable is very didactic. Luke gives a brief introduction which serves as the key for reading. 

 

There are always people and groups of people who consider themselves upright and faithful and who despise others, considering them ignorant and unfaithful.

 

According to popular opinion at that time, the tax collectors were not esteemed at all, and they could not address themselves to God because they were impure. In the parable, the Pharisee thanks God because he is better than others. The tax collector does not even raise his eyes, but he beats his breast. He puts himself in his own place, where he stands before God.

 

If Jesus had allowed people to express their opinion and say which of the two went home justified, all would have answered, “the Pharisee!” At that time, this was the common opinion. Jesus thinks in a different way. Jesus turns all things upside down. It is certain that the religious authorities of that time were not pleased with Jesus’ application of the parable.

 

Luke informs us, especially, about Jesus’ prayer life. He presents Jesus in constant prayer. Jesus prayed very much and insisted that people and His disciples do the same, because from union with God springs truth, and the person is able to discover and find self, in all reality and humility.