Theme: Luke 18:9-14 Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Theme: Luke 18:9-14 Luke 18:9-14
Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

Summary: In this Gospel selection from Saint Luke we see Jesus illustrate the differing approaches of two individuals in prayer. Both approach the temple area to pray and one, a Pharisee, boldly moves forward and seemingly prays to himself, lauding his many virtues and putting down others while doing so. The other, a tax collector, who would be seen as on the lowest rung of the social ladder, approaches the temple area in a very contrite manner with his head bowed and striking his breast as a sign of true contrition. The one who boasts his goodness but does not recognize his errors is not a person of justice, whereas the one who seeks forgiveness walks away justified.
Scripture . For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted . Luke 18:14b
 
In our Scripture today, Jesus tells a story about a man who thought he was better than everyone else. In the story that Jesus told, two men went to the temple to pray. One of the men was a Pharisee, a religious group that was very strict in obeying the Law of Moses. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: "I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I’m certainly not like that tax collector over there! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of all my income."
The tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he bowed his head in sorrow, saying, "Oh God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner."
Now, which of these two prayers do you think was pleasing to God?  The prayer of the tax collector.
Jesus said, "The tax collector, not the Pharisee returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted."
When we are tempted to brag about ourselves, we need to remember that other people are not impressed -- and neither is God!
Dear Father, we pray that you would help us to remain humble so that we would not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): As younger children become more outwardly focused, they may begin to compare themselves to others negatively. Learning that God loves each of us as we are supports children in developing a healthy sense of themselves and their abilities and challenges.
 
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Children of this age are still working out their place in relation to others. The temptation to self-importance is great. By our good example, however, we can teach them that God wants us to leave room in our hearts for him and other people.
 
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people at this age can be very competitive. Competition, by its very nature, encourages one to draw attention to oneself and can tempt one to excessive pride. This Sunday's Gospel offers a good antidote to pride—humility.
 
 
My Promise to Jesus: Jesus, this week, I will ask for forgiveness for the times I have disobeyed you.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. From what secret sins and shame do you need freedom?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
Grandma’s Pride
Written by Becky Birtha
ISBN: 13:978-0807530283
Pray that you will you will remain committed to loving people in such a way that you will help them along in understanding things with patience and kindness.

Family Discussion: In the family, one sometimes observes a level of competition between children for parent attention, for acknowledgement of their abilities. Somehow, children seem to internalize that the attention given to one member of the family diminishes the attention given to another. In this way, children can often sound like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable. Parents who provide continual reminders to their children that they are loved for who they are, not for what they do, help children develop a healthy spirituality.

As a family, talk about what it means to compare oneself to another. Discuss whether it is helpful to compare oneself to another. In what ways might this be positive? (when it motivates one to use one's talents) In what circumstances might this be unhelpful? (when it proves discouraging, when it prevents one from valuing the abilities of another)

As a family, read today's Gospel, Luke 18:9-14. Discuss: What was wrong about the prayer of the Pharisee? How can we emulate the prayer of the tax collector?
Pray together as a family in thanksgiving for the blessing that is each member of your family. Pray that your family will be free from unhealthy competition. Pray in thanksgiving that God's love for us is unconditional.

Family Discussion for All Saint’s Day on November 1: One of the great gifts of our Catholic tradition is remembrance of and prayer with the saints. The Church offers us an official canon, or list, of saints. On All Saints Day, we recall and pray with these saints. It is important to continue to tell these stories of saints and saintly people to our children so that they have ample models of people of faith for their own lives.

Together as a family, name and tell the story of favorite saints. Together prepare a list of some of the traits that these people have in common (generosity, courage, prayerfulness, and so on) After preparing this list, read together today's Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12. Identify how the attitudes described in the Beatitudes are reflected in the lives of the saints and people you named.

Pray together as a family a Litany of the Saints. (For example, the leader prays, “St. Elizabeth,” and the children are invited to reply, “Pray for us.”) Include in your list the saints and holy people you named in your discussion. Conclude by praying that your family will follow the example of these people as disciples of Jesus. Blessings,
Mrs. Cindy Perea and Ms. Kathleen Cook