The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
October 24, 2010
Vol. 13 no. 42
Jesus is on a roll teaching-wise, trying to get all his parables in before reaching Jerusalem. He intended a specific audience: “those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.” I know we have other names for such people, and they are legion and everywhere, in every age.
The Gospel calls them “Pharisees,” perhaps a little inaccurately. There certainly were lots of humble Pharisees running around in those days, but they take a back seat with the tax-collectors. The stereotype of a Pharisee is still someone who wants to insist upon the details for everyone else, but misses the point for him/herself. Self-righteous and then some, they do point out the situations in which they were the only ones right and so are convinced they are unique people, not like other less moral folk. May the names remain anonymous to shield the guilty.
The tax-collectors were extortion artists in the name of the state, and most people hearing this story would have been shocked to know that such a slime ball was even allowed to step inside the Temple. Genuine humility never looks impressive, by definition. The Pharisee wanted first of all to appear humble and knew how to look like he was suffering from a stringent lifestyle, but his words betrayed him eating too much humble pie.
This parable is almost too simple, too straightforward for us to read plainly. We easily see through the Pharisee’s pomposity and recognize the publican’s sincerity. The danger is not how it is told, but where it is told. There was no mistaking who Jesus was talking about and some listeners felt it was a little too close and unfair. Our advantage is that while you may be a Pharisee, you can collect taxes before anyone else notices.
Knox-Metropolitan United Church
Regina, Saskatchewan