Ken Overberg, S.J.

30th Sunday, Oct 28, 2007

Today’s gospel presents one of Jesus’ most memorable stories, the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.   As we listen, it would be helpful to remember that the Pharisees, while given a bad reputation in the New Testament, were serious, religious people.  Indeed, later after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, they helped preserve Judaism.  The parable’s Pharisee would have been seen as a model for the Jew of his time—praying, fasting, tithing.

Publicans, on the other hand, were looked down upon by the people because they collected more taxes than required and were working for Rome, the foreign oppressor who occupied their land.

So Jesus presents the highest and lowest models of virtue—and then turns expectations upside down.  It is the prayer of the publican that truly exemplifies what it means to stand before God: simple, honest, humble.  In Jesus’ proclamation, God is a God who welcomes the despairing and the hopeless (see Arthur Dewey’s revised “The Word in Time”).

Our first reading, from one of the wisdom books, Sirach, affirms that God hears the cry of the poor.  The second reading, from a letter to Timothy (not actually written by Paul, but here putting words on his mouth) toasts Paul’s life in service of God.

Let’s listen to God’s word!

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Some of you have told me that when you are away for vacation or business you really miss worshipping at Bellarmine.  That has been my experience this Fall.  A number of talks and conferences have kept me away from our Sunday Eucharists.  I have missed you.  I have missed us.

At one of these times, I wrote in my journal what a great grace Bellarmine has been in my life – and, I trust, in yours too.  So I decided, when I had the opportunity, to encourage you (and ask you to encourage me) to keep Bellarmine alive and flourishing.  Don’t let the Powers of our Church that want to go backwards or the Powers of our violent, materialistic culture – don’t let these Powers undermine our commitment, community, collegiality, our worship and many ministries.

By coincidence – or providence – my opportunity to so encourage you comes on this Sunday, with this gospel.  Luke brings forward Jesus’ parable to challenge his own community, reminding them – and now us – that the tendency toward self-righteousness is always a possibility.  So as we celebrate the gift of Bellarmine, we pray for discerning minds and hearts to act as faithful stewards of this gift, to be open and honest and attentive to the poor, to respond with gratitude and not self-righteousness.

How will you help Bellarmine grow and flourish?