The Prayer of the Humble Pierces the Clouds
“The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal.” (Sir. 35: 21)
Todays first reading is from the Book of Sirach. This book was very popular during the second temple period and was called many different names. Saint Jerome in the Vulgate calls it ‘The book of Jesus, son of Sirach’. The book is full of short axioms on moral living. The early church used this book extensively in its catechism and moral instructions. Hence, this book was also named ‘Ecclesiasticus’ which means ‘the church’s little book’.
In today’s first reading, Sirach urges his readers to be considerate and be merciful toward poor and socially oppressed people. He tells them that God is merciful to them, for God hears their plea for help all the time. In a way, Sirach is telling us that God is a Just judge, but that He takes the side of the oppressed.
Since God is an impartial judge, we cannot and should not bribe God. Our human tendencies are to tempt the authority to like us and be favourable to our cause. These tendencies are unconsciously transferred to God, and we believe we can influence God to be favourable toward us. Sirach, therefore, gives us some advice on how to please God. The best way to please God is never to oppress or harm any human being. God will bring justice to the oppressed for their cry for help does ‘pierce through the clouds’.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector. At the end of the parable the tax collector went home justified. In the parable, Jesus does not praise him or even approve his sins. He only points to those things that the tax collector is doing right in the presence of God, that is to acknowledge his sinfulness and his unworthiness to come into the God’s presence.
At the time of Jesus, the Rabbis used to say that it was impossible for the tax collectors to get into the Kingdom of God, for they would have to restore all they had usurped from others, plus 20% more as compensation. But for Jesus, the tax collector in the parable has taken a right first step in the process of his conversion. He had only one thing to give to God, and that was his numerous sins. His sins, though many, will be forgiven.
–Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD