Carmelite homily for Saturday, March 21, 2020 – Lectionary 242 (Luke 18:9-14)
In today’s Gospel we have the well-known parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, sometimes called the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee is up in front saying, “wow, God, look at me! And I’m glad I’m not like that tax collector.” And the tax collector is way in the back saying, “Have mercy on me.” Saint John of the Cross writes, “Everyone’s actions are in direct continuity with the habit of perfection they have acquired.” I think that’s simply the call of today’s Gospel – not to look at the Pharisee or the tax collector – but to look at ourselves. What are our actions? What our accusations? What is our level of perfection we have acquired? Maybe reach out and have the Lord pull us there.
