Pentecost 21

Pentecost 21 HOW SINNERS PRAY 10/21&24/04

We will spend our time now focusing upon our Gospel lesson from the Account of St. Luke, chapter 18, beginning at verse 19: Two men went to the Temple in Jerusalem one day to pray. A bit about each man…one was a Pharisee/ the name likely refers to them being “separatists” from the culture in which they lived. They were prominent in Judaism for about three centuries as champions of the Torah, or holy book, steadfastly upholding traditions. The other man was a tax-collector/ in Jesus’ day a tax collector was so closely associated with sinners that the phrase “tax collectors and sinners” appears at least 8 times in the holy Gospels. Jesus certainly draws a clear and distinct contrast between these two church-going pray-ers in our parable this week!

This parable, a created story to make a specific point, is about people at prayer…specifically comparing the prayer of people who trust in themselves, are self-righteous and despise everybody else, with the prayers of those with a more honest self-appraisal. It is not surprising to read a story about prayer in Luke’s Gospel. This is the Gospel where Jesus’ disciples only ask Him one thing: “Lord, teach us to pray!” Jesus gave them, and us, the Lord’s Prayer. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus told us that we should “always pray and not lose heart.” So, this is a story about how to pray, which is precisely what this congregation has been doing in various forms since we gathered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Reading in vs. 10: “Two men went up to the temple to pray…” What they were doing was great. How they were doing it affected their very standing before God! The first thing to observe is that the Pharisee does not ask God to do, or for, anything. The Pharisee, after-all, doesn’t need anything or anybody, but he does appreciate the opportunity to remind God (and all who may be listening) how wonderful a man he actually is! He is sure to remind God of his disciplined and generous financial giving and how, not once, but, twice a week he fasts. This is what a former Secretary of Labor spoke of as “a culture of meritocracy” where wealth and affluence comes to those who deserve, earn, or merit it.

Prayer is a far different experience for the truly humble person. Humble people long for God and pray for what is lacking. They are, as Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, “hungering and thirsting” for God. Humble people are poignantly aware of their shortcomings. They know that they are sinners and so give God praise & glory for everything they have. Reading vs. 13, whereas the Pharisee asks God for no-thing, the tax-collector asks God for only one-thing: “God, have mercy on me!” Whereas the Pharisee compares himself to other men and considers himself superior, the tax-collector compares himself to God and considers himself a sinner!

When Martin Luther preached on this very parable, he said: “The beginning of goodness or godliness is not in us, but in the Word of God. The good news that God loves us, that God forgives us, is a wonderful, freeing Word.” Through honest confession and freely-offered forgiveness despite our unworthiness, we can stop being so concerned about ourselves, our own agendas, our own self-interests, and devote our discipleship to learning and meeting the needs of our neighbors. Dame Edity Stillwell, in an interview in the year 1950, said: “I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty, but I am too busy thinking about myself.” Again from Martin Luther: “Christ wants us daily to learn who we are and what we have. If you possess money, health, home, and property, appreciate these things. But, do not extol yourself or despise a single other person. Remember that the next person, who does not have what you have, has just as gracious a God as you have. Walk beside him, then both of you may praise God.” May we daily pray, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Amen.

Publish by permission only. Contact Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 937.399.6257