Luke 18.9-14, Pentecost 20C
Theme: Compassion
The other day, I saw a drawing of a young woman sitting in her car watching people entering a church building for Sunday worship. A caption at the bottom of the drawing said “she looks on watching the people she has gathered with for years going into a building. Suddenly they all seem like strangers to her. She will watch for a while. Then she’ll say goodbye to them in her heart. Then she will drive away.”
As I looked at the drawing, I couldn’t help wondering how often this happens. Jesus describes a similar scene in one of his parables. It differs a bit, but there are similarities. He tells of two men praying in a synagogue. I like to think of them is two very different places on the place of prayer, one is at the front by the holy scrolls. This man is wealthy and powerful, and a bit full of himself. In his prayer he boasts of how he tithes generously and attends the Shabbot regularly. He even goes as far as to thank God that he is not a sinner like the other man. The other is barely in the room. It’s almost like he is not sure he is welcome. He is a tax collector – one reviled by most Jews. His prayer is simple and direct. He asks God for mercy.
In the drawing, I first described the woman does not even enter the church. She does not even get out of her car. We are not told whether she prays. But, if she did, I wonder what kind of prayer she might have made to God. Would she be thinking “I’m glad I am not a hypocrite like those people.”? Or would she be afraid they might ask her why she hadn’t been coming? Or perhaps her husband left her and he is there with his new friend.
In his parable, Jesus gives some hints as to what God thinks of all this. In the parable, Jesus says that God would receive the tax collector’s prayer. In his prayer, he recognized his own sins and was wanting God’s forgiveness.
So, if she prayed, would God listen to her prayers?
Worship with us in person at 10:30 AM as we will be meditating on how we pray. The service will also be streamed live on the internet -- (https://fccmaryvillemo.com) or on the church’s home Facebook page. If you missed the live stream, a recorded session is also available to view at your convenience. Want to make a comment on my blog? Click on https://fccmaryvillemosanc.wixsite.com/ftdo.