I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity
Sir 35,12-14.16-18; Ps 33; 2 Tm 4,6-8.16-18; Lk 18,9-14
27 OCTOBER
When we go before the Lord to pray, we must first ask us to give us his eyes so that we can see Him according to the purest truth and from his truth to see us and the neighbour as He sees us. Then we must ask that he give us the gift of his heart, so that we may love him according to the riches of his love and also the brothers as he loves them. By asking God’s eyes and heart we see and love like Him. The Book of Sirach offers us the eyes and the heart of God so that we may also pray according to truth, justice, wisdom, intelligence and obedience to the divine Word.
To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the Lord, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. Appear not before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfilment of the precepts. The just man’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odour before the Most High. The just man’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion, For he is a God of justice, who knows no favourites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint; Do not the tears that stream down her cheek cry out against him that causes them to fall? He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right. God indeed will not delay, and like a warrior, will not be still Till he breaks the backs of the merciless and wreaks vengeance upon the proud; Till he destroys the haughty root and branch, and smashes the sceptre of the wicked; Till he requites mankind according to its deeds, and repays men according to their thoughts; Till he defends the cause of his people, and gladdens them by his mercy. Welcome is his mercy in time of distress as rain clouds in time of drought (Sir 35,1-26).
The Pharisee does not see God with the eyes of God, he sees him with his eyes of pride and sin. He does not even see himself and the publican with the eyes of God. He sees himself and sees with his evil and wicked eyes. His prayer cannot be anything but evil and wicked because it is glorification of himself and humiliation and contempt of his brother. It is not a prayer of love, but of hatred. Never might the Lord receive such a prayer. It lacks all truth, charity, humility, compassion, pity and forgiveness. It is a prayer without light, justice, wisdom, intelligence and fear of God.
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Praying is asking the Lord to make us his instruments to bring to our brothers the riches of his Word in which every treasure of love, justice, truth and holiness is contained. To no use is a prayer in which we want God to give himself entirely to us, because we are wholly of ourselves. The prayer of surrender of our life to the Lord to make us ways for his will to spread on the earth, will always be blessed and listened to by him. This is the true prayer of offering.