30th Sunday in Ordinary Time C. Oct. 26, 2025

 

30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time C. Oct. 26, 2025

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 35: 12-14, 16-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

 

Theme: How to Approach God in Prayer

 

A.    A Brief Exegetical Analysis of Luke 18:9-14

 

            1.      Historical and Literary Contexts

Before our Gospel story, Luke told his readers that the arrival of the kingdom of God is unpredictable, and when it happens, some will be taken while others will be left (17:20-37). Additionally, through the parable of the persistent widow, Luke emphasized the importance of praying always without growing weary to be chosen at the coming of the kingdom of God (18:1-8). Then, in our passage, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, he discusses the wrong attitude to avoid and the correct one to observe while praying. After our passage, he will talk about what it takes to inherit eternal life in the kingdom of heaven (18:15-30).

 

            2.      Form, Structure, and Movement

This Gospel includes a parable. V. 9 serves as an introduction, while v. 14 acts as a conclusion. The parable itself (vv. 10-13) forms the main part of the text.

 

            3.      Detailed Analysis

V. 9. Luke reveals the purpose of the parable before even telling it. It is directed at believers who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on others.

Vv. 10-13. In biblical times, people looked up to Pharisees because they were devout, as they carefully followed the rules of Jewish law. In contrast, tax collectors are considered unrighteous. People despise them because they cheat by overcharging to increase their profits. Our parable tells of one Pharisee and one tax collector who go to the same temple to pray. At the end of their prayers, Jesus praises the prayer of the tax collector and rejects that of the Pharisee. The key to determining a good prayer here is not in what they say is true or not, but the attitude each person adopted while praying. The Pharisee’s attitude is disapproved for several reasons: he prays to himself, shows arrogance by despising the tax collector, and only mentions his good deeds without humbly admitting his sins and asking for God’s mercy. The attitude of the tax collector is praised because he humbly admits his sins, confesses them, and seeks God’s mercy.

V. 14. Jesus concludes that God answered the prayer of the tax collector because of his humility, but he did not answer the prayer of the Pharisee because of his arrogance. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.

 

            4.      Synthesis

Jesus uses the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to teach his followers how to approach God in prayer. They should avoid being proud and looking down on others. Instead, they need to humbly come before God, admit their sins, and seek forgiveness. When they are prideful, God will humble them and not answer their prayers; but when they are humble, God will lift them up and grant what they ask.  

  

B.     Pastoral Implications

 

            1.      Liturgical Context

Let's review the liturgies from the past three Sundays to better understand today’s. (1) The Scripture readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time encouraged us to start following Jesus and practicing his teachings with our beginner-level faith, which Jesus called “the faith the size of a mustard seed.” Then, the liturgy of the 28th Sunday urged us to advance from beginner faith to a higher level — that of thanksgiving and discipleship — as shown by the examples of the Samaritan leper and Naaman. From last Sunday’s Bible readings, we learned that with faith rooted in thanksgiving and discipleship, we should become men and women who pray persistently, without growing weary, even amid suffering or when things do not unfold as we hope. In addition to praying persistently, today’s liturgy guides us on how to approach God in prayer.

 

            2.      What the Church Teaches Us Today   

Note that all the religious practices the Pharisee mentions in his prayer are correct, not lies. He is not greedy or dishonest, does not cheat people, fasts regularly, and donates a full ten percent of his income to the Church, as required by the law regarding tithing (Cf. Lv 27:30-32; Dt 14:22-29). We are all called to follow these religious practices. Regarding tithing, our first reading encourages us to give generously to God just as he has given to us (Sir 35:12-14).  

However, why does Jesus reject the Pharisee’s prayer? The answer is that Jesus rejects his prayer not because of his religious practices but because of the attitude with which he approaches God. First, notice all the “I” statements in his prayer, which show that he himself, not God, is the source of all his achievements. We need to recognize God as the source of our accomplishments. In prayer, we tell God that we need him because our lives do not make sense without his grace. In prayer, we approach God with humility and gratitude, confessing that he is the author of every blessing we have. Prayer is not self-promotion, but it should and must always be directed to God. Saint Paul, in our second reading, offers us an example. From the jail where he wrote this second letter to Timothy, he recognizes that the strength with which he endured all his trials came not from himself but from God. He is grateful to God who rescued him from the lion’s mouth, and he relies, not on his merits, but on God to bring him to eternal salvation (see 2 Tim 4:17-18).

Second, in his prayer, this Pharisee acts as if God owes him grace and salvation because he faithfully follows all religious rules. Here, the Church teaches us that God does not owe us anything. We do not deserve God’s blessings; instead, we receive them through his grace. This does not mean that our religious practices are meaningless. They matter because they are our expressions of gratitude for God’s love; they bring us closer to him and strengthen our relationships with him and our brothers and sisters. So, let us continue to live righteously.  

Third, unlike the tax collector, this Pharisee did not admit that, despite his religious practices, he is a sinner and needs God’s mercy. This teaches us that we should always acknowledge our sins, confess them, and seek God’s mercy. Let us regularly confess our sins.

The Lord hears the cry of the poor, says our responsorial psalm. In addition to the poor, our first reading mentions the oppressed, orphans, and widows. All these marginalized groups represent those who adopt an attitude of humility, gratitude, and seeking God’s mercy in their prayer. May the liturgy of this Mass help us to improve the way we approach God in prayer. Amen.

 Fr. Leon Ngandu, SVD

Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, Jackson, MS &

SVD USS Biblical Apostolate Coordinator