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How very vivid was Parable the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee from
the Gospel of St. Luke. The reading was rather short, but in its 5 verses from
Chapter 18, verses 10-14, we see a vivid portrayal of two large segments of our
society.
The Parable I'm sure is well known to all of you, but is very worthy to be
repeated for our spiritual edification. There are always lessons to be learned,
which further cultivate our spiritual entity. Our hearts and minds should always
be open to hear and digest that, which grants us spiritual manna.
One day our Lord came upon a small group of self-righteous people, who belittled
other people because they felt superior to them. Whereupon our Lord took
occasion to state to them. Two men went up to the Temple to pray. The one was a
Pharisee; a member of the elite, educated class, and the other was a Publican, a
tax collector.
'The Pharisee arrogantly walks down the center aisle and proceeds before the
Altar, making sure that he is noticed by all present. He ostentatiously raises
his hands high, and proceeds to impress God regarding his superiority. He thanks
God that he is not like the rest of the people; that he complies with the
religious law; that he fasts twice weekly; that he tithes, that is, he gives one
tenth of his gross income to philanthropy; and finally that he is not a sinner
like the Publican, pointing to the Tax Collector who was in a remote corner,
with his head deeply bowed. That was likes of the egocentric, self- loving
Pharisee.
In the remote corner we see precisely the opposite of arrogance and
egocentricity.
We see the Publican, who felt so unworthy before God, that he wouldn't even
raise his head upwardly. As an outward act of contrition, he is seen banging his
chest with his clenched fist, and repeating over and over: "God, have mercy upon
me, a sinner."
Thus, as the Pharisee thought, he elevated himself to illusionary heights, but
in the eyes of God, he was humbled and condemned. The Publican though, by
humbling himself, being remorseful and truly contrite, shed many tears of his
sinfulness, and as a result was elevated by God to the Heavens and was saved.
And the Lord concludes His teaching stating: "He who humbles himself shall be
exalted and he, who exalts himself, shall be humbled!"
This humility or humbleness is once again stressed by the Church, reminding us,
especially at this time, that the virtue of humility is sort of an introduction
to the Holy Lenten period, which commences in just three weeks. This virtue,
along with other Christian virtues, are so necessary for our spiritual well
being and fulfillment, to live tranquil lives, with our sights set to the
salvation of our soul. When we think of it, truly, people's life would change,
and society would be enhanced, if we gave substance to the conclusion of the
Lord's Parable, that "he who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles
himself shall be exalted!"
Sadly, a great number of people fail to acknowledge that all "the good and
perfect Gifts, come from Above from the Father of lights,"as St. James states in
his Epistle, Chapter one verse 17. Our existence, our brain, our knowledge, our
power were all given to us by God, firstly for our own enjoyment, but also, that
we all, you and I, may be contributors, as much as possible to society in
general.
But, what happens? So many times people forget that all gifts come from Above
and they forget that they are also stewards of God. God does not reach down to
help individuals, but His arm is His stewards, who always lend a helping hand.
As we well know, upon our leaving this earth we take nothing material with us,
except our good works. I'm reminded of an old story I read years ago, regarding
a wealthy dowager, who enjoyed her comforts in her own little sphere, not
concerned in the least, for the welfare of her fellow humans. She had a
chauffeur, who was compassionate to people and exhausted all means available to
help others.
The next scene is Heaven. The chauffeur predeceased his employer, and when she
arrived in Heaven she saw from afar, the most beautiful mansion she had ever
seen, and said to St. Peter: "I guess that mansion is mine to live forever,"
whereupon St. Peter said: "No ma'm, that mansion is occupied by your chauffeur."
"Well," she said, "If that is my chauffeur's mansion, I can imagine how
grandiose mine is." Whereupon, St. Peter escorted her way beyond her chauffeur's
mansion, to an area that looked like a slum. Pointing a finger at a literal hut,
St. Peter said, "that is your abode for eternity."
"There must be some mistake and the tables must have been reversed," was the
reply. St. Peter quickly answered: "No Ma'm there was no mistake. You see, here
in Heaven, we build only with materials, which are sent to us from the earth."
As simple as this story is, it expresses the truth, because at the Last
Judgement, the Lord will say to the righteous: "I was hungry and you fed me,
thirsty and you gave me to drink, etc.," and to the condemned He will say
exactly the opposite.
People who live apart from God, and have achieved materially in this world,
oftentimes are overcome by self-sufficiency, overlooking God's gifts, and live
remotely, from the needs of their fellow humans. So easily they slip into the
mould of selfishness, arrogance and egocentrism. These people, not only forget,
that their stay on this planet is temporary, but they also are very remote to
the words of St. Paul in 1St Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 12: "Let him, who
thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall!"
It is no wonder that the Lord emphasized: "He who humbles himself shall be
exalted, and he who exalts himself shall be humbled."
Thus, the Publican was saved because he sensed deeply his sins and was truly
remorseful, beseeching God for his forgiveness. His humility is a supreme
example. It has been said, that "humility is the diamond necklace, which adorns
one's life."
As a Priest of six and one half decades I have witnessed much, especially during
my 30 year of service, in the Metropolitan New York area. I have seen the likes
of the Publican, as well as the likes of hardened, arrogant people, like the
Pharisee. I have seen sinners making an about face, much to the pleasure of the
genuine, forgiving Christians, as well as those, with a "holier than thou"
attitude, ridiculing the repentant sinners, saying something like: "Look at that
hypocrite trying to impress us with his or her religiosity." But, this totally
unchristian criticism„ or judgment, is of very little concern, because those who
turn their life around, are not concerned with what people say,-- but rather,
what God would say.
In our society today, we have been inundated with the material, and we have been
so brainwashed by the media, that it is somewhat difficult to resist the
current. But this, the dedicated Christian must do. Difficult yes, but not
impossible. The true Christian makes every effort to resist the current, and he
or she will surely not
compromise their conscience, because ultimately, he or she has to live in peace
with themselves.
Without a doubt, today's Parable is a powerful lesson, which teaches us at all
costs to avoid the Pharisaism of arrogance and egocentrism, and to seek the
fortifying and the adornment of our life with the impenetrable armor of
humility. Amen.
+ Fr. George Papadeas
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