Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C

            Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18

            Ps. 34

            II Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18

            Luke 18: 9-14

The connection between the readings is given in the rubrical introduction to the First Reading, which says “the prayer of the humble man will penetrate the heavens.”  In the First Reading from the book of Wisdom, God is presented as One “who knows no favorites, who…hears the cry of the oppressed.”  The Responsorial Psalm reinforces this by using as its refrain, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor,” and in singing “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and those who are crushed in spirit, He saves,” which leads to the Gospel’s parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.  In all “outward” ways, the Pharisee ought to be the hero of the story.  He obeys God’s laws, is rigidly righteous in his observance of the Torah.  The tax collector (publican) is an outcast in society, a collaborator with the hated alien oppressor, and thoroughly dishonest.  Yet in the parable, he “went home from the temple justified but the other did not.”  How can this be?

The Pharisee was not trusting God—he paraded his own accomplishments before God.  The publican knew that he had nothing to boast about—he abandoned himself to the mercy of God.

“The Pharisee, overcome with his pride, and the Publican, bent down in repentance, came before You, the only Lord: the first trusted in himself and was deprived of Your blessings; the other spoke but a few words and received Your blessings in abundance.  Behold my tears and strengthen me, O Christ our God, You who are indeed the Lover of mankind.”   Sticheron at the Praises, Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican (Byzantine Lenten Triodion)

The Second Reading continues our exploration of Second Timothy.  Paul describes here the nearness of his death, the confidence that he has that God, “just judge that He is,” will give him the crown of the victor—and not just to him, “but to all who have looked for His appearing with eager longing.”  We use a form of these words every day at Mass, when the priest says the embolism at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, “waiting with joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:

Lord our God, the God of justice,

God, who hears the orphan's cry,

Hear your servants who entreat You

Let our pray'r pierce through the sky.

You are God who judges justly,

You are God who rights the wrong;

Never found unduly partial,

Hear our heart-felt, needy song!

In contempt for fellow mortals,

One man's prayer made no ascent

While his fellow's humble pleading

Met with God's complete assent.

Each one, boasting, shall be humbled;

Each bowed down shall high be raised.

God who hears the humble sinner,

For Your graciousness, be praised!

Fight the fight, the race keep running

Till the coming of the Day

When the Lord, who judges justly

Has the great and final say.

God, who gave us life in Jesus,

Will not leave us at our ends,

But will bring us to the Kingdom

Which His gracious will intends.

                        87.87. D

                        suggested tune:  Nettleton

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