In today’s gospel, Jesus is helping us to see clearly who is truly righteous before God. It would appear that the Pharisee is the righteous one. He thanks God for not being greedy, dishonest, adulterous, or even like the tax collector. The Pharisee is generous in giving of his own money. On the surface, the Pharisee looks holy. But looks can be deceiving. One can put on a good show. What really lies beneath the surface?

If there is one thing that really bothers the good Lord, it is self-righteousness. The ones who had the most self-righteousness were the Pharisees. The Pharisees were supposed to be holy, righteous religious leaders setting a good example for others to emulate. Instead, they used their position of influence to lord their power and authority over their own people. They made life difficult for Jesus. The Pharisees were always plotting to destroy and ruin the character and reputation of Jesus. Unfortunately, there is a little bit of a Pharisee in us at times. It is more important to look good before God than to others. Faith in Jesus challenges one to look deep inside oneself to see what needs to be changed for the better. Being honest with oneself is a lifelong, worthwhile endeavor.

The tax collector is the antithesis of the Pharisee. Unlike the Pharisees, tax collectors were considered sinners in the eyes of the Jewish people. They worked for the Roman Empire. Therefore, they were considered betrayers of their own people. They skimmed from the top. On the surface, the tax collector was a horrible human being. The words of confession from the tax collector though reveal the depth of his remorse. He is truly sorry for his actions that caused harm to innocent human beings. The weight of the tax collector’s sin prevents him from looking up to face his God. He is overcome by his sin. His sin is a burden he can no longer endure. He is deeply and profoundly sorry for what he has done and not done. The tax collector realizes who he is before God, a sinner. He does not ask, but begs for mercy and forgiveness from the God who made heaven and earth.

God makes all things new. God makes the tax collector a new creature by forgiving him of his sin. The sinner is healed. He is restored. The burden of the tax collector’s sin is removed. His debt is wiped clean. He has a new lease on life, a new life in Christ. Now on the tax collector’s shoulders is Christ’s yoke. Our life would be better if there were a little bit of a tax collector in all of us. We are challenged to reflect upon our life. Do we realize what we do intentionally to hurt others in word and in deed? If we do, do we sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness from God like the tax collector? God is standing by waiting to collect our sins. May we hand over our sins to God so that we may live freely in Christ.

Father Paul O’Dell

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Robert Carlson
who died recently.

Mother Teresa tells us that we all need to find God and that He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. “God is the friend of silence.” In the silence of our hearts, He will speak to us, if we stop talking and give Him a chance, if we listen, if we are quiet. David in his Psalms sings: “Be still and know that I am God.” (‘Life in the Spirit’ by Mother Teresa).

We have an opportunity on Saturday, November 3rd, and on every First Saturday of each month, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass and continuing till Benediction at 10 a.m., to sit before Jesus in His Blessed Sacrament quietly listening as He speaks to our hearts. In silence we will find a new energy and true unity with God. Let us adore Jesus in the Eucharist!

Come listen to the choirs of St. Robert’s and St. Matthew’s next Sunday, Nov. 42 pm as they present music of different styles and seasons. There will be pieces by soloists, small groups and the combined choirs of the two parishes. If you enjoyed the beautiful music of the Palm Sunday program, you will also enjoy this music which could be sung throughout the liturgical year.

The choirs have worked hard to present this concert for us. A free will offering will be taken to help with the cost of the music. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Imbimbo at kji@sanbrunocable.com.

Nov. 1, All Saints Day, is a holy day of obligation; Masses will be at 6:30 am and 8:30 am (with the school children) and 6 pm. Masses on Nov. 2, All Souls Day, will be at 6:30 am, 8:30 am. and 7:30 pm. During the 7:30 pm Mass, those who have died during the past year will be especially commemorated. There will be refreshments afterwards.

You’ll notice that the environment shifts as we enter this month, remembering in a special way those who have died, “marked with the sign of faith.” In addition to the photos and mementos at Mary’s shrine, we will also have reminders of the rhythm of all life which we see in nature. The pumpkins and gourds of harvest time have reached their fullness as have our beloved dead, gathered into the arms of our loving God.

   
We’ve been hearing very challenging readings these Sundays, and those chosen for this Sunday are no exception. The reading from the Hebrew scriptures reminds us, “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.” We might recall the meetings of Bishops in the Latin American countries who, after much conversation and controversy, wrote a document in 1968 about an “option for the poor” at Medellín, Colombia and renewed their commitment at Puebla, Mexico in 1979. Readings like this one from Sirach, last week’s gospel about the poor widow, and the many examples from the life of Jesus convinced the bishops that they needed to break with their past comfortable role in society and to speak up for the poor. That declaration was a watershed in the Church’s relationship with the government, the people of the South, and Vatican officials. The priests and bishops were overwhelmingly from the upper class, since poorer men had no access to education. We can imagine how difficult it was to make such a statement which risked alienating wealthy contributors in the name of the gospel.

The life of Archbishop Oscar Romero exemplified this conflict: he was from the wealthy class and had many friends among the military leaders and corrupt landowners. Those who were exploiting the poor rejoiced at his appointment; he was one of their own; they would be safe from Church criticism. But an oppressive government, backed apparently by the Church, had much to fear from the gospel. The priests and catechists who taught the people what the gospel said about their dignity as children of God began disappearing and being found dead. His friend, Fr. Rutilio Grande, pleaded with him to take a stand. Then Fr. Rutilio was killed. That was the last straw; Oscar Romero had to make a choice. The Spirit of God led him on the road to conversion which caused him to stand up for justice, to speak out on behalf of the poor and, ultimately, to lay down his life for them. On March 23, 1980, his plea to the military was broadcast over the radio: “In the name of God, in the name of these suffering people whose laments rise to heaven, each day more tumultuous, I beg of you, I ask you, I order you, in the name of God, stop the repression!” The following day, he was killed while celebrating Mass. Later that same year, four North American women – three sisters and a laywoman – Dorothy Kazel, Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, and Jean Donovan, were also killed on Dec. 2, for their pastoral work which included burying those killed by the military and trying to comfort their families.

As we commemorate All Saints Day and All Souls Day this week, let us remember these holy people and all who work for the poor, who are often unappreciated and misunderstood. And may we respond to God’s call to us as each of us hears the cry of the poor.

Peace, S. Sheral