Reflection for the 30th Sunday In Ordinary Time,

Cycle C

My dear friends this week’s Gospel (Lk 18:9-14) tells us what can happen when we compare our actions to the actions of others, instead of comparing them to the actions of Our Lord. 

In the Gospel we hear the parable of two men who go into the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. Now the Pharisee, who is very haughty and full of himself, takes up his prayer position with an air of superiority. He looks up and says 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.” Even though he is looking up, in reality he is praying to himself; almost as if he is looking into a mirror. He lists all the good works he has done, even glancing toward the tax collector who is in the temple to pray. What arrogance the Pharisee displays!

Then we see the tax collector who stands far away. He doesn’t even find himself worthy to raise his eyes, but instead he beats his breast and prays, “O God, be merciful to me a Sinner.” What humility the tax collector displays.  Here we have this collision of two  polar-opposite behaviors: arrogance vs. humility. We can go through life comparing ourselves to the ways of the world and justify our actions in relationship to others. We can tell ourselves “I’m a good person. I don’t steal, I don’t cheat on my spouse, I don’t physically hurt anyone.” And we can tell ourselves “I’m not like that other person who’s addicted to drugs, or alcohol, or pornography.” But that’s not how we should be looking at our actions. We’re not to be looking at ourselves in comparison to the actions of other people. Instead we are to be comparing our actions to those of Jesus. Because that is the true measure against which we should be gauging our own actions. If we compare ourselves to other people we will become like that

arrogant Pharisee.

Pope Francis reminds us that, “the parable teaches us that a man is just or sinful not because of his social class, but because of his way of relating to God and how he relates to his brothers and sisters. Gestures of repentance and the few and brief words of the tax collector bear witness to his awareness of his own miserable condition. His prayer is essential. He acts out of humility, certain only that he is a sinner in need of mercy.” The words of the Gospel are encouraging us to humbly look within ourselves and to recognize when we are falling short of acting like the person that God created us to be.

So the challenge for each of us is to look inward with a humble heart and ask ourselves these

questions:

      • Are my thoughts and actions mirroring those of Jesus?

      • In what ways have I failed to be like Jesus?

      • What changes do I need to make in my life to do better, and to walk like Jesus instead of walking in the ways of the world?

And then with a humble heart you can stand at a distance and humbly pray, “O God be merciful to me a Sinner,” for as Jesus tells us “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Blessings,

Deacon Anthony Cioe

2025 APPEAL

This year’s theme: “Our Journey United in Hope,” is inspired by the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

 It reflects our collective commitment to walk on the path together with the hope Christ has provided us.

It invites us to be renewed in hope by bringing hope to others through individual gifts. Through our various ministries across the diocese your gift is shared and brings comfort, relief, encouragement and support to many.

Next weekend, February 8^th & 9^th, we will be holding our Catholic Ministries Appeal In-Pew Weekend. In preparation, you should receive a mailing from Bishop Sullivan that will include the 2025 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal materials. I ask that you please consider donating to this year’s campaign. It is important that we come together to support our ministries. They need the resources necessary to continue serving those in need.

By supporting the Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are supporting those who comprise the programs and ministries of the Diocese of Camden. These ministries serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the hungry and challenged. When we support the Catholic Ministries Appeal, we can bring the light of hope to those in the Catholic community of South Jersey.

Please prayerfully consider joining us once again.