Luke 18:9-14 NRSVue
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
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Reflection on Luke 18:9-14
Inspiration from 2027-03-06 Daily Prayer
As Jesus interprets this parable for his audience, he perhaps shocks them by saying that the tax collector is the one who is right with God. In Luke’s Gospel, expectations are often subverted, as highlighted in today’s closing words: ‘all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
We are invited to place ourselves in the shoes of the two characters in the parable. Both would like to be right with God, but they have a very different understanding of what that relationship entails. Like the Pharisee, we can rush to judgement, making presumptions about people based on their appearance, background or occupation. We place ourselves on the ‘inside’, keeping others on the ‘outside’. When we remember that everyone has their struggles, we are a lot kinder.
Further reflection
This parable, addressed to some proud and arrogant people, was meant to sting.
Can I get in touch with the power of Jesus' rebuke?
Do I hear the call to a different way of living?
What does it say to me?
The contrast between Pharisee and publican has entered so deeply into our culture that it is sometimes reversed, and people are more anxious to hide at the back of the church than to be in the front pews.