The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
Sunday, 26 October 2025 – XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)Mass Readings: Sir 35:15–17, 20–22 | Ps 34 | 2 Tim 4:6–8, 16–18 | Lk 18:9–14
Key Verse to Meditate: “But the tax collector, standing far off,
would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God,
be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Lk 18:13).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the
Word of God invites us to pray with humility and trust in God’s mercy. The Book
of Sirach reminds us that the prayer of the humble pierces the clouds. God, the
just Judge, shows no partiality but listens attentively to the prayer of those
who are wronged and oppressed. In the second reading,
St. Paul looks back on his life with a grateful heart, proclaiming, “I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
St. Paul, nearing the end of his life, acknowledges that it is God who
strengthens and rewards him. His confidence rests in God’s mercy and fidelity,
not in personal achievement.
In the Gospel,
Jesus presents the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing us,
that God’s grace is given to those who acknowledge their need for it. The
self-righteous Pharisee boasts before God, while the humble tax collector,
aware of his sinfulness, simply prays, “God, be merciful to
me, a sinner.” And it is he who returns home justified.
As we gather around the altar today, let us come
before the Lord with hearts emptied of pride and filled with trust — not
boasting of our goodness, but begging for His mercy. May our prayer echo that
of the humble tax collector, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner”,
so that we too may be lifted up and made righteous in God’s sight.
The First Reading
The first reading from the
Book of Sirach supports today’s Gospel theme — that God listens to and answers
the prayer of the humble. Sirach reminds us that “The Lord is the Judge, and
with Him there is no partiality. He will not show partiality to the poor, but
He will listen to the prayer of the one who is wronged” (Sir 35:15–16).
God always hears the cry of
the humble and rewards them in due time. The reading continues: “The prayer
of the humble pierces the clouds; it will not rest until it reaches its goal”
(Sir 35:20–21). In other words, sincere and humble prayer never goes unheard
before God.
The Second Reading
In the second reading, St.
Paul bears witness to God’s faithfulness in his life. Even in moments of great
difficulty, Paul experienced God’s protection and saving power. Nearing the end
of his earthly journey, he declares with confidence: “I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7).
Paul acknowledges that it
is God who will judge and reward everyone. We cannot earn God’s mercy through
our own merits; it is a free gift granted to those who remain faithful and
humble before Him. This theme of divine mercy flows beautifully into today’s
Gospel reading.
The Gospel Reading: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
Today’s Gospel (Lk 18:9–14)
continues the theme of prayer from last Sunday’s parable of the persistent
widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18:1–8). While that parable taught perseverance
in prayer, today’s parable teaches the proper attitude of the heart in
prayer — humility.
Two men go up to the temple
to pray may be in one of the usual hours of prayer (Lk 1:10; Acts 2:15, 3;1,
10:9) — one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Both of them stand in the
temple of God as it was the common posture at prayer among the Jews (1 Sam
1:26; 1 Kgs 8:14. 22; Mt 6:5; Mk 11:25).
Fasting and Paying of
Tithes
The Pharisee stands proudly
before God, thanking Him that he is not like others—“thieves, rogues,
adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” He lists his religious practices
with self-satisfaction: “God, I thank You that I am not like other
people—swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast
twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get” (Lk 18:11–12).
In the New Testament, we
find several references to Jewish fasting practices (cf. Lk 5:33; Mt 6:16;
9:14; Mk 2:18; Acts 27:9). According to the Mosaic Law, only one fast—the Day
of Atonement—was obligatory. Yet, this Pharisee observed additional fasts twice
a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. His words reveal a boastful spirit,
suggesting that he was doing more than the Law required.
Similarly, his reference to
tithing reflects a meticulous—perhaps excessive—observance of religious duties.
While the Law required tithes from certain produce (cf. Num 18:21; Deut 14:22),
the Pharisees extended this even to minor garden herbs. That is why Jesus
rebukes them in the Gospel of Matthew for neglecting the more important matters
of faith: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint,
dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the
Law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you ought to have done without
neglecting the others.” (Mt 23:23).
How do you stand before the Holy presence of God
The Pharisee’s problem was
not his observance of the Law but his attitude. He exalted himself before God,
comparing his virtues against the perceived sins of others. Instead of seeking
divine mercy, he sought human glory. He accused others before God and made
himself a judge over his brothers. His sense of self-righteousness blinded him
to his need for grace.
Though he stood in the
temple—so close to God—he was, in truth, far from Him. Like the unrepentant
thief on Calvary (cf. Lk 23:39–43), he looked only at himself, not at God. His
prayer lacked humility and love; it was a monologue of self-praise rather than
a dialogue with the Divine. Hence, it cannot be called a true prayer at all.
“God, be merciful to me, a
sinner!”
One of the most beautiful prayers of the heart in the Bible, seeking God’s mercy, is the prayer of the Publican: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This powerful prayer, worth more than a thousand dollars, reflects the sincere, repentant prayer of the prodigal son: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Lk 15:21). In stark contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, deeply aware of his unworthiness. He cannot even raise his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beats his breast and prays with simplicity and sincerity: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Lk 18:13).
He considers himself
unworthy to even enter fully into the temple to worship. His posture expresses
humility: unlike the Pharisee, he does not lift his eyes or hands to heaven
(cf. 1 Kgs 8:22; Ps 28:2; 63:4; 134:2; 1 Tim 2:8). He makes no comparisons, no
justifications—only a humble confession of his sinfulness.
Such contrition is the
essence of true prayer. For, as Scripture reminds us, “Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:15; cf. Mt 1:21). The tax collector’s
humility opens him to God’s mercy, while the Pharisee’s pride closes his heart to
grace.
The Lord’s Verdict
Jesus concludes this
parable with a profound reversal: “I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Lk 18:14)
God sees the heart. He is
not impressed by appearances or human boasting but looks for sincerity,
humility, and repentance. The tax collector was justified not because of his
words but because of his contrite heart.
The Pharisee, an expert in
prayer, failed to pray. The publican, a sinner by reputation, succeeded in
touching God’s heart. The lesson is clear: true prayer flows from humility,
self-awareness, and a recognition of our dependence on divine mercy. Pride distances
us from God; humility draws us near to Him.
May our own prayer echo
that of the humble tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Lessons from the Parable
This parable teaches us several valuable lessons:
- Prayer
is not self-congratulation but self-surrender.
The Pharisee’s prayer was not a dialogue with God but a monologue about himself. He went to inform God of his goodness rather than seek His mercy. - God
listens to the humble heart.
The tax collector’s simple, contrite prayer reached heaven because it came from the depth of a repentant heart. True prayer begins when we acknowledge our sinfulness before God. - Righteousness
is not earned by comparison.
The Pharisee compared himself with others and felt superior. But in God’s eyes, holiness is not about being better than others; it is about being true to God’s grace. - Humility
opens the door to God’s mercy.
Pride shuts us off from grace, but humility invites God’s presence. God can only fill the heart that is emptied of self. - True
worship transforms.
The Pharisee left the temple unchanged, while the tax collector left forgiven and renewed. Every genuine encounter with God should change us for the better.
Points for Personal
Reflection
- What
character do I reflect in my prayer life — the Pharisee’s pride or the tax
collector’s humility?
- Do I
pray to praise myself before God or to seek His mercy?
- Do I
allow my religious observances to make me judgmental of others, or do they
draw me closer to God’s compassion?
- Do I
acknowledge my dependence on God each day?
Remember: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who
humble themselves will be exalted” (Lk 18:14).
Conclusion
This parable reminds us
that prayer is not about perfection but about honesty before God. The
Pharisee stood in pride and received nothing, while the tax collector knelt in
humility and found everything — mercy, forgiveness, and peace.
God delights not in
eloquent words but in a contrite heart. When we come before Him with simplicity
and humility, acknowledging our sinfulness, He lifts us up in His mercy. As
Pope Francis beautifully says, “Holiness is a face we recognize next door,
the saints who live among us in humility and love.”
May we learn to pray like
the humble tax collector — with a heart that says each day:
“Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Then we too shall return
home justified, restored, and renewed in God’s grace.
