THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 23, 2022

MASS READINGS:

A reading of the holy Gospel according to 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."

The Gospel of the Lord

REFLECTION

"the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

We have learned from last Sunday's parable of the necessity always to pray and not be weary or give up.

Again, we are reminded this Sunday of the need for prayer. Prayer is the prerequisite of anything we work for be it the Church or the world.

Unless the Lord builds the house,

the builders labor in vain,

Unless the Lord guards the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

(Psalm 127:1-2)

If we want a fruitful PAPA, if we want a vital holy life, a faith filled united family, friendships with kindred spirits or if we want to be closer to God, we must pray. For what we want is not a human endeavor but to make time for God in our lives. We want to talk over everything with God before we act, He promises to shed light in the darkness.

A humble prayer always reaches God. We might not get the answer we wanted but with the utmost fear, respect and love for God, we always ask what does God want.

In today's Gospel the tax collector shows us the effect of a true pious prayer. When we pray, do we talk with God or do we talk to ourselves or about ourselves emphasizing how good we are or all that we have done for God?

We are to pray, pray always and without becoming weary. Our prayer life should be full of humility, attentiveness, trust, meekness and a great deal of patience.

God bless you