Preparation for Total Consecration

WEEK 4:
KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD

The New Testament is largely the result of the impact made on the early Church by the risen Jesus; he is Lord. In that light they were 'christened' - baptised into his Church, and there contemplated and tried to live his teaching. We, like them, should want to enjoy a present relationship with our risen Lord as reflected in the Gospel.

Seventh Day: Lk. 18: 10-14

A HOPELESS CASE

Parable.Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get'. But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell You, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

Reflection.These two men could not have been farther apart - and they knew it. The Pharisee, with the respect of the community and his own self-respect before God, 'stood and prayed'. The tax-collector, detested by the community because cheating and deceit at people's expense were so much a part of his profession, collaborating with an occupying power, had little self-respect either, 'standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven'. For Jesus to say that he, rather than the Pharisee, went home with the favour of God was incredible. Before either had said a word to God, already people would have judged - and judged wrongly.

To trust in myself and to be patronising to others - 'the great unwashed' - is a mistake before God. To be good and know I am good, and to enjoy my goodness, and to present it in detail to God, is to stand on shaky ground.

The tax-collector was honest with himself as he saw himself before God. 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' What could he do? If he gave up his profession tomorrow, would the Pharisee give him a job? How does he support his wife and family? How would it look to the occupying Roman authorities? What references could he bring to a new employer? His was a hopeless position. So he prayed to God to understand it. Jesus said he went home with the mercy of God. Is this the world I live in, in my understanding of God, other people, and myself? Is this good news?

Prayer.Lord Jesus, when you were on earth, a tax-collector was seen as worthless, almost a non-person before God. Yet looking at him through your eyes, I see that he was in no way diminished or degraded coming before God. Give me the grace always to come before you just as I am, secure in your love.

May the prayers of your Mother encourage me to be always honest before you.

Montfort.'The Cross was the proof God gave of his love for us, and it is also the proof which God requires to show our love for him' (LEW 176).