In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus instructs His disciples that their touted good works will not earn entrance into the kingdom. He also tells them that being truly righteous requires recognition of our need for God’s mercy. Sirach in the first reading tells us that God is just and He hears the cries of the helpless who call out to Him. In the second reading Paul continues to encourage Timothy to faithfulness and reminds him that even when abandoned by friends God is ever faithful. What needs to be humbled in me so that I may be exalted at the return of Christ?

First Reading: Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18

12 For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

13 Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.

14 He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint;

{15 Do not the tears that stream down her cheek cry out against him that causes them to fall?}

16 He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.

17 The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal,

18 Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.

NOTES on First Reading:

* 35:12 God is just to all and can not be bribed even by sacrifices as it says in verse 11. See Lev 19:15.

* 35:13-15 The oppressed, especially widows and orphans have God’s ear in the Bible. See Exodus 22:21-23; Deut 24:17-18; Prov 23:10-11. The Rabbinic tradition portrayed the poor as God’s representatives on earth. Verse 15 is not included in the reading since it simply repeats the message of verses 13 and 14. I have indicated this with “{…}” in the text.

* 35:16 James echoes this idea in James 5:15-16.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18

6 For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

{9 Try to join me soon, 10 for Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.}

16 At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

NOTES on Second Reading:

* 4:6 Paul recognizes that his death through martyrdom is likely to occur soon. A libation was an act of worship in which blood or wine was poured out in sacrifice. See Exodus 29:38-40; Phil 2:17.

* 4:8 At the judgment following the parousia, all who have faithfully awaited the Lord’s return and have attempted to follow his teachings will be rewarded. Paul relates righteousness to faith, the Law, and the cross. Crown is a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the heads of victorious athletes at games and returning conquerors in war. See 2 Tim 2:5; 1 Cor 9:25.

* 4:9-15 Because these verses actually are an aside they are not included in the reading. I have indicated this with “{…}” in the text.

* 4:16-18 Despite Paul’s apparent abandonment by his friends in the province of Asia, God’s assistance brought this first trial to a successful conclusion. It also made the gospel message known to all those who participated in or witnessed the trial. There may also be an intended parallel with the abandonment of Jesus by His friends in keeping with the sacrificial motif of verse 6.

Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 9-14

9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity–greedy, dishonest, adulterous–or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

NOTES on Gospel Reading:

* 18:9-14 This pericope is unique to Luke’s Gospel and is told as an example story. The disciples are to follow the example of the humble tax collector as he humbly comes before God in repentance. Since 1:6, Luke has been playing on the themes of who is righteous, unrighteous, and self-righteous (5:32; 15:7). Luke emphasizes: Self-confident boasting about one’s good deeds does not achieve acquittal from God’s judgment. Like Jesus one must engage in deeds of righteousness. God has vindicated His innocently suffering righteous One.

* 18:13 Beating the breast was a sign of repentance.

* 18:14 The tax collector is justified by God because he recognized his need for God’s mercy and has shown sorrow for his sins. The Pharisee does not need God’s gift of justification for he has justified himself. The Pharisee does not realize that his own justification is useless.

Scripture text: New American Bible with revised New Testament copyright © 1986,1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.
Commentary Sources:
Vince Del Greco
The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (1990) (Eds. Brown, Fitzmyer & Murphy)