Dear Parishioners,
Sometimes, what appears to be an ideal situation, can be a bit deceiving. In this week’s Gospel, we see a Pharisee doing all the right things according to the law. He fasts twice a week and he pays tithes on his income. Well, there is nothing wrong with following the rules and meeting our obligations. Where this Pharisee falls short is that his “giving” was not from his heart. He appears to be giving more for appearance sake. And appearances must be pretty important to him otherwise why would he notice the behavior of the humble tax collector who was asking God for forgiveness for his shortcomings?
Perhaps the Pharisee detected a sincerity in the tax collector’s willingness to admit his faults. Perhaps this made the Pharisee feel guilty and he responded by trying to justify his own actions. We have heard time and time again, that there is nothing more precious to God then a cheerful giver who gives from their heart. Heartfelt giving is priceless to God, regardless of the amount or value of the gift.
Doesn’t that take the pressure off of us? Times are quite difficult right now – the price of just about everything is incredibly high and for many of us, an increase in pay is not happening. But the beauty of God’s love is that He is pleased when our hearts and minds desire to do good for others. Let Him direct that desire in a way that fits your situation – in a way that allows you to do His will without placing unnecessary hardship on you. We don’t know what sins the poor tax collector was asking forgiveness for. Perhaps he was not able to pay his tithe or perhaps he could not help his neighbor. We also don’t know if he overheard the harsh words the Pharisee spoke against him. But the tax collector’s actions were spot on. He did not get distracted by the Pharisee but rather he put his deepest desires and regrets in the gentle hands of his God.
We don’t need to know how the story ends – when we allow God to write the ending – it will be perfect.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito