30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lk 18:9-14
October 23, 2022

On October 11, Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass at St. Peter’s, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.

True to form, during this special celebration, the Holy Father did not shy away from reality. HE TOLD IT LIKE IT IS!

In his homily, Pope Francis acknowledged that the “Council Reforms,” as they are often referred to, are not universally embraced by the universal Church today. Tragically, certain of the Council’s teachings have sparked division, rather than promoting unity, among The People of God.

Compounding this tragedy, it would appear that, in some countries, secular political instincts, rather than The Gospel, are influencing people’s perception of Vatican II. In other words, conservatives are squaring off against liberals.

The Pope remarked: “Both the ‘progressiveness’ that lines up behind the world and the ‘traditionalism’ and ‘moving backwards’ that longs for a bygone world are not evidence of love, but of infidelity.”

Francis does not cast blame at either side, but simply bemoans the fact that there are “sides” in the Church, which is the Body of Christ…One, Holy, and Apostolic. He continues: “quarrels, gossip, and disputes” over Council reforms make us less than what we are called to be.

He rightly argues that internal strife makes it far more challenging for the faithful to “live their faith with joy, without grumbling and criticizing.”

As I read the reports of and pondered the quotes lifted from Francis’s reflection, I couldn’t help but wonder if he had prayed over and been influenced by today’s Gospel as he prepared to preach. Jesus addressed the parable to: those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.

WOW!!!

Sounds like a description of many in our Church today.

For that matter, doesn’t it sound like what Reader’s Digest used to call: “LIFE IN THESE UNITED STATES”? Although that column was humorous, internal conflict, wherever you might find it…in the Church, our nation, or in our families…is no laughing matter.

The Holy Father’s feeling about the current atmosphere in our Church is captured by this thought:

“We are always tempted to start from ourselves rather than from God, to put our own agendas before the Gospel, to let ourselves be caught up in the winds of worldliness in order to chase after the fashions of the moment or to turn our back on the time that providence has granted us.”

Through today’s Gospel, The Lord offers two brief but extremely informative character studies. The first is of a person who is all about “entitlement.” He gladly takes a special place of honor in the Temple, which he feels he’s “earned.”

This is a person of influence, whose thoughts and opinions are observed and modeled. He drips confidence and is totally self-satisfied. Basically, he is a study in arrogance, and his arrogance knows no bounds. He has the audacity to begin his prayer by listing all of HIS so-called accomplishments.

He gave in to the temptation to start from himself rather than from God!

He distinguishes and separates himself from the rest of humanity, placing himself above others in terms of “holiness.”

Of course, the other person in the story is quite the opposite. He is taking a risk by even entering the Temple to pray. His very presence in this holy place would have raised eyebrows.

What is HE doing here? Who does He think he is?

(In Jesus’s time, tax collectors were considered on par with thugs, mobsters, and extortionists.)

Keeping a respectful distance, he humbly acknowledged his sins and his unworthiness. He began HIS prayer WITH GOD! He begged for mercy! And so, it was the tax collector who Jesus held out as an example of righteousness…the kind of character that should influence others. Jesus sums up the parable by explaining that humility and contrition will justify even someone as despicable as a tax collector; whereas pride can be the downfall of someone who literally broadcasts righteousness.

Most people in the pews might not be aware of the fact that there is controversy and division among Church leaders concerning the implementation of the so-called reforms of Vatican II.

But make no mistake about it, there is a trickle-down effect.

I would bet, however, that the vast majority of the people in our country are aware of the dangerous division that threatens our peace today…division that has already trickled down and is making for some very unsettling and worrisome times.

Political instincts rather than Gospel values are prompting us to give into arrogance and pride, which energizes “quarrels, gossip, and disputes.”

This is NOT of the Spirit.

Division and conflict, “grumbling and criticizing” within the Body of Christ, as within Life in these United States…leads to confusion and uncertainty and makes it hard to “live with joy.”

Which is exactly what the Holy Spirit brings to us…JOY!

Is there a fix to this climate of “quarrels, gossip, and disputes,” so that we can live our lives…both in and out of the Church in The Peace of Christ and with Joy?

It certainly seems that, through this character study, Jesus is urging us to push back against the all too human tendency to be arrogant and opinionated…convinced of our own righteousness.

When we “start with God,” beginning our prayer by acknowledging our ignorance and inadequacies, our petitions will reach the heavens…and we will be given the spirit of understanding.

Then we might be better able to live in the Peace of Christ.