The Prayer that Pierces the Heavens”. (Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C)
I have titled this Sunday’s reflection, “The Prayer that Pierces the Heavens”.
You would remember that last Sunday’s readings invited us to persevere in prayers. In this Sunday’s readings, we are invited to add humility to our perseverance since “the eyes of the Lord are drawn to the humble” (see Isaiah 66:2). Today’s first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes 35:12-14, 16-19 tells us that the humble person’s prayer pierces the cloud and that the Lord will not be dilatory on their behalf. The reading started by telling us that the Lord is the Judge who is no respecter of personages. This statement as it were immediately places everyone at equal footing lest we get deafened and blinded by either our judgement or people’s judgement of us. The Lord is the judge. Even if, in conscience, we are completely convinced of our righteousness or unworthiness, we are to remember what St Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians 4:3-5, that God is greater than our conscience.
But what is Humility in a Christian Context?
Perhaps, we could say that humility consists in recognizing that we are created by God and dependent on Him. It consists in recognizing our poverty, strengths, the wonder of our being and our need for God. In this way, we become open to God and so approach Him on the basis of who He is, what He has done and continues to do. In other words, we approach God with a thankful heart. But even then, I dare to say that this understanding of humility falls short of the standard Jesus set for us in his life by letting go that which was truly his, his equality with God (see Philippians 2). That is to say that Humility does not consist only in knowing who we are, but indeed in letting go for the sake of Charity that which we are, refusing to cling to it. Unfortunately, I won’t go into all that here. I have an ongoing work focused specifically on humility. So, until then lets content ourselves with the above explanations as incomplete as they may be.
Let’s now get back to the Gospel. The Pharisee’s prayer in today’s Gospel was not acceptable to God. Why? Instead of approaching God on the basis of God’s goodness and mighty deeds, the Pharisee congratulates himself for his own good deeds which he carefully recounted to God. And as such, the scripture was very blunt about what he did which he called prayers. Today’s Gospel tells us that he prayed to himself and not to God.
So, the question here is, How do I Approach God in Prayer?
Sadly, the Pharisee ignorantly thought he could approach God on the basis of his own merits. Perhaps, he thought he could curry favour and impress God with his litany of good deeds (fasting, tithing and prayers). Of course, good deeds are very important if one’s faith is not to be considered dead (see James 2verse 14). However, the point being made here is that, even our good deeds are gifts and are meritorious because God has granted them merits in Jesus without whom, even our righteousness would be like a filthy garment before God (see Isaiah 64 verse 6). Yet, God benevolently rejoices, blesses and rewards our good deeds.
Unless one becomes aware of this truth, prayers could easily become a moment in which one lays claims as though God is indebted to us. All we are and have is God’s gift. Hence, no one should boast in His presence (Ephesians 2:9).
Humility is one of the principal ways one could truly empty oneself to the point of saying like St Paul in today’s second reading from 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18 that my life has already been poured away as a libation. Many have given up properties and money, but unfortunately have refilled themselves with ego and undue quest for power, control, attention and the likes. Humility keeps us in the track as we strive to run the race to finish whilst keeping the faith like St Paul says in the second reading. Without, humility we may run till the end full of ourselves and only to realise that we were on the wrong track, as such would have laboured in vain.
Like the Tax-collector in the Gospel, we are invited to clothe ourselves with humility knowing that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy. When we approach God with humility, recognising our poverty, then our lowly hearts shall be exalted, our prayers heard and upon our lives shall be fulfilled today’s responsorial psalm, “this poor man called; and the lord has heard him”. Besides, the Christian waiting is a humble waiting because we can’t with pride and from pseudo heights faithfully wait for his appearance and visitation.
So, we pray that Jesus may grant us the grace of humility so that our prayers would be graced and so be acceptable to the Father. Perhaps we should end with part of today’s collect, the opening prayer of the Mass.
Let us pray.
Almighty, ever-living God, increase our faith, hope and charity and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Lord be with you,
May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Go in peace and Happy Sunday