TWO MEN IN A TEMPLE

 A REFLECTION FOR THE 10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other, a publican.”  It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but in actuality it’s the start of a parable told by our Lord in today’s Gospel.  We know the story very well, the Pharisee who brags about what a wonderful saintly man he is, and the poor publican at the back of the temple, who won’t even lift his eyes to heaven, but just strikes himself on the chest as he repents his sins and asks God for forgiveness.   We’re left in no doubt which of the two our blessed Lord approves of.

 

Both men address God directly.  This is not a performance on the part of either of them, made for the benefit of the other.  They are both “praying”.  The Pharisee “prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men.”  Meanwhile, the Publican too is busy speaking with God alone, smiting his breast, saying “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” 

 

However, one of them is certainly aware of the presence of the other.  The Pharisee specifically names the publican, as he lists to God the types of people he despises: “extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”  The Pharisee is proud to point out to God that he is a better man than the Publican.  And let’s face it, he does seem to lead a good life, fasting twice a week, supporting the temple and the poor with his generous donations.  Meanwhile, the poor Publican does not mention the Pharisee.  His eyes are down, he probably doesn’t even notice the man at the front of the temple.  He’s too upset at having offended God by his sinful life.  And it is, let’s not forget, a sinful life. 

 

And yet, God looks down on these two men, and smiles on the sinner even as he frowns upon the self-proclaimed saint.  Which of the two do we resemble?  Even as we ask ourselves this question, do we thank God we’re not like other men, with our fasting, our donations to the church, our rosaries, our obedience to the commandments and loyalty to the true faith?  And with our humility too, no doubt!  If so, what value are these treasures to us if we throw them away in an act of pride and presumption?  Let’s rather remember all the ways we have offended God, not taking any pride in having perhaps improved over the years, or resisting temptation better than we used to.  No.  Let’s keep our eyes down, our thoughts firmly fixed on how pride comes before a fall, and on how much we still owe to the God we’ve offended so much and so often.