First reading: Sir. 35:12–14,16–18

The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one 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, and the Lord will not delay.

Second reading: 2 Tim. 4:6–8,16–18

Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!

But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 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.

Gospel: Lk. 18:9–14

Jesus 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 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In other words

by Fr. Joey Miras, SVD (Toronto, Canada)

The church is a place to worship God. Worship includes the petition for our needs, material and spiritual. For our material needs, we ask for daily sustenance, good health, and a safe environment. For spiritual needs, we ask for forgiveness and grace to sanctify our lives. In the Gospel, the petitions of the Pharisee and the tax collector differ. The Pharisee is grateful for having fulfilled his responsibilities. Meanwhile, the tax collector sincerely atones for his sins. The Pharisee, most probably in the eyes of the Law, should be rewarded because he was righteous, while the tax collector should not get anything because he defrauded others.

Our religion though is very communal. In the church, we worship and pray together. Even the priest is discouraged from celebrating Mass alone. We are enjoined to help one another. This help extends to our prayers. We pray for one another. We pray that others may be blessed and that our brothers and sisters may also experience the grace we received abundantly.

In this way, the Church is seen as the fountain or source of all graces, and this grace is available to all. Both the self-righteous and the sinner can avail of what the Church gives and dispenses. Hopefully, the Church (leaders and members) may genuinely live out her calling as the source of grace!

There are big issues that the Church, as a fountain of grace, needs to answer, though. What has she done to those who came seeking solace for the prayers, like justice for the sexual abuse victims, comfort for the LGBT, roof for the homeless, courage for the separated, clarity for the unchurched, etc.? Is unlimited grace available for all?