Sir/Eccle’us 35:12-14,16-19 Ps 32(33) 2 Tim 4:6-8,16-18 Lk 18:9-14
Sirach was a Jerusalem sage writing about 180 BC. His wise maxims are much used by the Church. God does not approve “the gifts of the godless, nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sins”. God is just, “he hears the cry of the oppressed”. God’s justice will be seen, he will wreak “vengeance upon the proud”.
Paul tells Timothy to expect a time to come “when people will not tolerate sound doctrine” “and will stop listening to the truth”. In every age Christians have experienced this happening, and church structures set up by Paul to “preserve the truth” have naturally tended to be conservative. Paul is facing death alone. But God has not deserted him, and even enabled him to speak out at his trial, sending the gospel message to yet more Gentiles, even at this late hour.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus continues his teachings on prayer. After last week’s parable about the persistent widow comes this strong condemnation of insincere prayer. We should not imagine that the Pharisee was bad: he is a good man, conscientiously observing his religion. Yet Jesus says the tax collector went home justified “rather than” the Pharisee. Not “more than”! Why? Because the tax collector was humble enough to admit his need of God and of his mercy.
Psalm Response: This poor man called; the Lord heard him.
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