First Reading Commentary
Father Richard Ho Lung, founder of the
Missionaries of the Poor, a religious Order headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica
which serves the poor and the socially rejected, testified: "The poor
possess a joy that is pure and highly contagious, for it doesn't come from
material comfort and prosperity but from the very gift of being alive each day."
This kind of joy is counter-cultural. By worldly standards, joy or happiness is more
often than not based on social recognition and material comfort. Why is it, then, while giving aid, "good
Samaritans" often notice that impoverished, struggling souls seemingly do
not struggle at all when it comes to being deeply connected to the Lord; and
thus possess a joy, which, for the secularist is inexplicable? Certainly those who possess material wealth
are called by the Almighty to offer a better quality of life to those who
materially have little to nothing. But
when given the opportunity to work first hand with the poor, most likely and
perhaps unexpectedly the giver of aid will, in turn, receive an inestimable
gift from the one who is in need. It's
not unusual but often unforeseen when a helping hand is extended and in a twist
the one needing help ends up offering something of great spiritual value to the
one offering help.
This Reading states
that "the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds" and "does not
rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds". Even the person with the largest bank account
on planet earth can be lowly if he or she recognizes that their real treasure
lies elsewhere. Our own relationship
with God begins by our personal invitation to Him to be Lord of our life. Unfortunately, our own will could also
diminish this intimate union because of other preoccupations. One valuable lesson to be learned from many
of those rejected by society is that God is all that really matters and
dependence on Him is the only thing in this life that is infallibly reliable; and
we have the power to make that bond permanent.
As for reliance on material wealth, blessed Job spoke those very
familiar words: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away" (Job 1:21).
Second Reading Commentary
Like many of Saint Paul's writings, he is
expressing ministerial experiences that are strikingly similar to Christ's
experience as Man. Specifically here, no
one comes to his defense; he has been deserted; and he forgives those who are
responsible. Complete confidence and
trust in our Lord would seem to be the key to Paul's existence. He proclaims: "I have competed well; I
have finished the race; I have kept the faith." This is by no means boasting; rather, he is
giving witness to the fact that he was able to do everything because of Christ
dwelling in him and working through him.
This life is not a bed of roses, nor did
Jesus ever promise that it would be. But
what Saint Paul and all the saints have discovered is that being defeated is
not an option when abandoning one's own will and submitting wholeheartedly to
the will of Almighty God. Paul is
confident that the crown of righteousness awaits him, and the Lord will safely
bring him to His heavenly Kingdom. And
since the word "Saint" now precedes his name, his confidence in an
eternal reward has been fully realized.
When slowly and meditatively reading Paul's
letters, his heart becomes accessible; and what is revealed there is that this
man was an unstoppable warrior for Christ; and when taking into consideration
the crosses he had to bear in his Christian life, while still willing to
proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, one can unmistakably conclude that
this man possessed true inner peace and joy.
Gospel Commentary
What exactly is wrong with the prayer of
the Pharisee? He thanks God that he is
not greedy, dishonest and adulterous.
Surely there's nothing wrong with giving glory and praise to God for
giving him the strength and wisdom to avoid these sins. The Pharisee is simply giving credit where
credit is due.
In the life of the Church, Vespers or
Evening Prayer is designed to give thanks to God for the blessings of the day
as stated by Saint Basil: "We give thanks for what has been given us, or
what we have done well during this day."
Here's where the trouble starts: The
Pharisee says, "I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income." On the surface there's really nothing wrong
with that either but the intent of his heart is the root of the problem. He's really bragging by proclaiming that he
fasts and tithes. He gives credit to God
for his avoidance of three specific sins and also acknowledges his good deeds
but sets himself apart from the tax collector.
In a sense he is saying: "Lord, here is what I do for You; aren't You
impressed with me? - because You and I both know that this tax collector doesn't
fast and tithe and surely he is greedy, dishonest and adulterous." There is only one judgment Seat and the
Pharisee seems to think that there's enough room for God and himself to sit on
it. And so, the Pharisee not only judges
the tax collector but also fails to do what the tax collector succeeds in
doing: acknowledging his own sinfulness.
Once again, in the life of the Church, what
follows Vespers, a few hours later, is Compline or Night Prayer which is prayed
just before retiring to bed. One of
elements of Night Prayer is an examination of conscience. Here is where we acknowledge our failings of
the day and express sorrow for them.
Humility in part consists of admitting that we have failed God and each
other. Any unwillingness to do this or
make it a standard practice will eventually allow pride to creep into our lives
and then it becomes even more difficult to admit our shortcomings; and if we
can't be honest with ourselves, who are we going to be honest with?
