Holy Mass: homily for October 24th

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Gospel of Luke 18,9-14

The Word of God, which is proclaimed on this Sunday Liturgy for the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, invites us to review our relationship with God—which is our prayer life; and asks how is our relationship with our brothers and sisters. Let us remember that contemplating divine realities and union with God through prayer ought to be the first and primary obligation of all religious (canon 663). This prayer is certainly not be overlooked on this World Sunday for the Propagation of the Faith (DOMUND*), “Our prayer thus takes on a hidden apostolic fruitfulness for the People of God, and echoes our solidarity with our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and suffering” (Const. 38).

The parable which we have just proclaimed is a powerful call to conversion. Jesus compares two kinds of persons, two attitudes, two kinds of prayer. Jesus does not compare a sinner with a just man; rather, he compares a humble sinner with a self-satisfied just man, who looks down on others. When we proclaim the Word of God in the Eucharist, we do not do it in order to know what happened two thousand years ago, rather, we do it because we want the Word be alive today and for us. It is, therefore, inevitable that when we receive this Word, we will be confronted with the question: Where are we portrayed? ..in the pharisee or in the publican?

The pharisee is a good person; he is more observant than most: he fasts beyond what the Law calls for; he tithes more than is called for in the law; he does not steal nor kill. We have no reason to doubt what he declares. He begins his prayer with a thanksgiving to God for keeping him good, not for the goodness in God; and he concludes with a disregard for others. He believes that all in him is godly. He is unaware that he loves no one, neither God nor his neighbor; he doesn't recognize how corrupted his prayer has become. He sees evil outside of himself. All others are unjust, adulterers, and thieves. It is others who do not keep their word. He feels secure and safe because of his own merits. He loves little and is full of his own sanctimony.

The publican, considered a sinner on two counts: being a bad person and because he collected taxes for Rome, expresses his relationship with God in a simple supplication that he repeats various times, as he strikes his chest: “Oh God, have compassion on this sinner”. Given his extreme poverty, it is only in God that he can find his salvation.

Jesus praised the publican. In doing so, Jesus is not inviting us to be sinners so that God will pay attention to us. Jesus is inviting us to discover that we are loved for our frailty and not for our excess of piety. He asks us to be humble; not to come before God (nor before others) praising our virtues and our good works. Whoever thinks he is rich, asks for nothing. Whoever considers himself wise, doesn't ask questions. Whoever thinks he is perfect, has no need to beg pardon for anything. Nevertheless, “God is not overwhelmed by appearances...the prayer of the humble person rises above the clouds.” (1st Reading).

As the celebration of the solemnity of our Holy Father and Founder still echoes for us, we remember his words when he wrote: “we must cooperate with the divine call, seeing to our practice of the virtues, especially that of humility of heart. This sublime knowledge is learned through prayer at the feet of the Crucified.” (Lett. II, 7). The importance of this virtue is derived from true humility; “it is a golden chain which brings with it all of the other virtues” (Lett. II, 367). Still, Paul of the Cross can also assert that “one grain of pride is sufficient to cause the downfall of a great mountain of holiness.” (Lett. I, 117).

The Virgin Mary, in her Magnificat, comes forward not as the center of her universe, but rather as the object of God's mercy: “he has done great things for me...he has looked upon the humility of his servant”. She then pronounces words that are a pre-echo of what her son, Jesus Christ, will utter in naming the preference of God: “he brings the mighty down from their thrones, and he raises up the humble”.

Contrasting with these reflections would appear to be St. Paul the Apostle's attitude as he praises his own merits: I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
 From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me. We know that Paul is not exaggerating in summing up his adventures and his sufferings for Christ. Paul states that should he glory in any aspect of his life, it should be on the Cross of Christ. Thus, he recognizes that the prize which God has prepared for him is not only for him: ...and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. What is more important: he recognizes that ...the Lord stood by me and gave me strength...I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Apostle does not fall into self-sufficiency, but rather into the attitude of gratitude because of the good that God has permitted him to do for the sake of the Christian Communities and for the evangelization of the world.

Today, we who are gathered as the General Synod of the Congregation, are also invited to recognize what God has done for us, and what He wants to keep doing through us. We are aware that the road to restructuring is not easy, and that this road, without a renewal of spiritual energies, will not be traversed. We are constrained by many things, and we must be freed of them in order to be truly free, and so place ourselves in God's hands with a humble heart. Perhaps, as happened to the Pharisee, we may be asked to free ourselves from the letter of the law in order to be faithful to the spirit of the law.

In the midst of uncertainties, what is certain for us, as it was for Paul, is that in looking to the future, 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.

Fr. Antonio Munduate

*"Domund" is the acronym that refers to the World Mission Sunday. It was created in 1943, in Spain, by the Pontifical Missionary Works. Its first director, Bishop Angel Sagarminaga, launched the slogan “DoMund” (Domingo Mundial de las Misiones).