Proper 25 C The Sunday Masquerade
Proper 25 C The Sunday Masquerade
October 24, 2010
By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell
Let’s start with the Gospel reading for today:
Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
The parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee will work on you until you sink to your knees.
St. Paul wrote: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.”
Why is it, that we avoid “know-it-alls?” Why do we despise arrogance?
Jesus is telling this parable to some who believed that they were “in” with God – which they believed allowed them to regard outsiders with contempt.
Though we immediately don’t like the Pharisee’s attitude – “thank God I am not like other men” – we have to give him credit for living an exemplary religious life. He fasted twice a week; while fasting only once a week was required by the Jewish law. He gave tithes of all that he had. He tithed this GROSS income. Jesus no doubt could see nods of approval from his audience. But, wanting to be sure of his status in God’s eyes, he did not hesitate to carve an even higher notch for himself by pointing out to God (and others who might be in ear shot) how much harder he worked on his religion than most. Especially that despicable tax collector who knows he doesn’t belong.
Tax collectors, in truth, were not welcome in the temple. Tax collectors were Jews who were on the payroll of Rome. Tax collectors were considered friends of the enemy. They were described by one of the ugliest words in any language – traitors.
They bid for the position and used its power to rip off their fellow Jews when they thought they could get away with it.
How can we connect our lives today to the Gospels of Jesus? In her book “The Man Born to Be King” Dorothy L. Sayers uses everyday language to tell the story of Christ. I highly recommend her work to you. [It was also presented as a series of radio dramas by BBC broadcast during World War II].
We don’t know for sure (because the Tax Collector in our story is not given a name) but it might have been Matthew struggling with his conscience.
When we meet people who know they are saved and are sure that you are not…what do we say?
Are they so sure that they think that they can’t count on God’s mercy, and so like the Pharisee, overstate their case? Or, do they think that by comparison they are so much better than others that they don’t need God’s mercy?
I titled this sermon “The Sunday Masquerade” because we all know how to play both parts in this parable. While most of us try to “appear” as the humble tax collector, the proud pharisee in us is busy making subtle comparisons with our practice of religion against others we know who don’t practice very much religion at all.
In his poem, “Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister” Robert Browning describes the hateful thoughts of a monk who, hates his fellow monk Brother Lawrence, and wishes to catch him in some sin that will keep him from heaven. Even in a monastery, while serving God, we are not safe from jealousy and hate.
We, I would hope, would not want to appear like that hateful Monk, or the proud Pharisee. But if we think we are guilty of…. looking down on his religious posturing…. the minute we say…. he’s a jerk, and we are not…...we are caught in our pride!
Gotcha!!!!!
So, we quietly say to ourselves that will not happen to me again. The next time we hear that parable we will not get sucked in. But the next time we hear the parable we catch ourselves chuckling, I’ll bet half the people in this congregation are thinking what I used to think.
Gotcha!!!
Now we think that we are better than half the congregation.
What is wrong with us? What is wrong with me? Why do I always have to feel superior to someone else? How is this passion for self-justification to be explained?
It can be explained in a single word, PRIDE. It is the parent sin. Pride is the root of all that we call sin. C.S. Lewis calls it the essential vice, the utmost evil, the great sin. And there is not a single person in the world that is free of it. Everyone simply loathes it when we see it in somebody else, yet hardly anybody supposes that they are guilty of it themselves. And whoever heard of anybody showing the slightest mercy to pride in others? There is not a fault which makes a man or woman more unpopular. And, the more we have it in ourselves the more we dislike it in others. (Those who think they know everything, really annoy those who do).
What can we do?
The very next verses in Luke’s Gospel, with everyone wondering if pride offers any escape, some little children enter the scene (Luke 18:15-17). As the disciples try to shoo the children away, Jesus uses their spontaneous entrance as a teachable moment.
Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
With a little child it is not a matter of trying to look special. With a little child it’s trusting that you are special. When parents play catch with their little children, they aren’t’ worried about the ones they miss. Or, would they chide the child because they were not as good at catching the ball as an adult would be. the parents are saying in this little game of catch, you are special, here…catch my love. And wonders of delight…. the little children love the game of catch.
Here's the point of this sermon: The Kingdom of God belongs to those who respond with child-like trust to God’s mercy.
That’s what the tax collector did right. He simply fell into God’s forgiving, understanding, and loving arms.
The ultimate goal of our spiritual journey is to know and believe in our hearts that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Reaching that goal (and here’s the secret), is not a matter of trying but a matter of trusting.
Example) I can easily picture our own children falling backwards into my arms.
If a religiously faithful, tithing Pharisee can’t make it into heaven…who has any chance at all?
Jesus said, no chance if you thin you can pull it off by your own efforts….and every chance in the world if you put your trust in God.
So together we fall on our knees and say our prayer…. Lord, have mercy.
Comments
Post a Comment