Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

The evangelist says, “Jesus addressed this parable” about the Pharisee and the tax collector “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” We can actually divide this into two groups: 1) those convinced of their own righteousness, and 2) the self-righteous who despise everyone else. The latter group is represented by the Pharisee. They represent the danger of living a virtuous, religious observance: to make rules ends in themselves and lose compassion for neighbors.

However, I would argue that those convinced of their own righteousness are many if not more of us these days. From within and without religion, I think your average person does not believe anything he or she has done is offensive enough to be damning. Many of us have assumed the highest ideal of our society: non-judgment. Naturally, if we have done nothing wrong, we can extend that grace to others. After all, Jesus said, “Judge not lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

Being convinced of one’s own righteousness without despising others still means we miss the point of the parable. The one who was justified was the publican who identified as a sinner and, not self-justifying, beseeched the Lord to be merciful. Here is the good news: God loves you very much. But you have sinned and continue to sin. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die and rise to swallow your sin and offer you redemption to share His love forever.

So let us know, accept, and respond to good news. There is examining our consciences. There is always actual grace available to convert. There is grace building on nature in virtue. There is sacramental confession. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB