The Nazareth Page -A gospel meditation for your home

October 26, 2025 – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 18:9-14

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We often gain understanding of complex matters by contrasting opposites. Some foods are sweet while others we label as sour. Some people are tall while others are short. Some are healthy and others are sick. Some vote red and some vote blue. In today’s gospel we are introduced to two persons at prayer. Might they too be opposites? Perhaps not because they were both described as praying. But Jesus invites us to go deeper. Deeper into the kind of praying that each offered to God.

One, a Pharisee, whose whole life was on the surface dedicated to serving God, seems happy that he can address God from where he sees himself. Right up front, standing upright. His prayer is one of giving an account of himself and his accomplishments while thanking God for everything. Sounds like a good prayer but Jesus judges otherwise.

While the Pharisee seems good, he is proud of his goodness. He keeps track of how much he gives to charitable causes. He regularly goes to pray at public places designated as religious. He tries to position himself near the front of the gathering space so that others (God and everyone there) notices his presence. He often thinks about how good he is and thanks God for all the blessings he has received. Certainly, he is better that that fellow then positioned in the back.

He is contrasted with the prayer of a tax collector in service to the hated Romans. He kneels near the back of the church. He is a good person, but his focus is not on himself. He is more aware of his failings and asks God for forgiveness. And his prayer is one that can be said by all of us. For we are all sinners and need God’s mercy and forgiveness. The good news is that God wants to do exactly that for us.

I have often wondered about the so-called “good thief” who hung on a cross next to Jesus. And what Jesus said to him. The thief asked for forgiveness and to be remembered by Jesus. My guess is that he had known Jesus before this terrible moment and knew something of his teachings. And as the gospel adds, that’s exactly what he received and was promised to be with Jesus very soon.

I think there’s a bit of the Pharisee and the tax collector in all of us. We try to do what is right and helpful to others, but we also take pride in our goodness. But we must be honest, especially in prayer. Only God is perfect. We are not. And we do well to admit this. God understands and loves us all, as sinners and saints.

David M. Thomas, PhD