Man in the Mirror

   

  Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 October 2022 

 

First Reading: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

Second Reading: 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18

Gospel: Lk 18:9-14

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo-Manio

 

When you get up in the morning and see yourself in a mirror, what do you see? That first look in the mirror says most of the truth about us and how we feel. After some time, when we go about our own affairs, be it work or studies, we somehow project a different version of ourselves to others. This may not happen at all which is very ideal. At times we are called to do this and there may be times we live a life differently from who we truly are and how we truly feel. This is hard and really sad because living a life made of lies, arrogance, and self righteousness will eat us alive. It will take out the very human in us, our frailty, our need to depend on God alone. 

This Sunday’s Gospel is related to last week’s parable of Jesus about praying. It is an invitation for us to be truly real in front of God whenever we pray. The tax collector in today’s Gospel presents himself to God exactly as he is, a sinner and someone who falls short of God’s graces to do good all the time. He did not pretend to be someone he is not. Contrary to the Pharisee, who presented a false picture of himself to God, telling all his accomplishments, good works, and exaggerating his virtues up to the point of condemning the tax collector who is also praying beside him. 

When we see ourselves better than our neighbors because of the things that we do (doing outreach programs, attending Church activities, having good jobs)  and the things that we do not do (committing crimes) it somehow gives us a good feeling, perhaps because we see ourselves a bit better than those who fail where we succeed. The parable reminds us not to be prisoners of our own small righteousness and not to be blatantly judgemental to others. We are all sinners and all beloved children of a merciful Father. The Gospel invites us to acknowledge our true self and lay down all our cards to God. We will never be perfect, but we can always be honest. 

God’s unconditional love for us gives us the courage we need to present ourselves to him as we truly are. Yes, it may give us feelings of shame yet God’s grace fills us with another chance to be better, to do better, and see people in His eyes. In the beginning of the Eucharist, we are called to mind all our sins, to continue an honest relationship and meeting of God. In my head, God would look down on us from heaven and say in response, “I know everything about you, but now I am happy that you know your shortcomings too! Now, we can continue to have an honest and open relationship.”

Prayer

Dear God, be merciful to a sinner like me. I feel Your love not because I am good but because You are. Whenever I come towards You or be honest to You, things get lighter. May we always set Your loving kindness as our inspiration to see ourselves better and be kinder to others as well. Amen.