Prison Awareness Sunday

Liturgy of the Word:

Sir. 35:12-14, 16-18;

Ps. 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23;

2 Tm. 4:6-8, 16-18;

Lk. 18:9-14.

1. 1st Reading, Sir. 35:12-14, 16-18 — In this chapter, Sirach teaches that keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (vv. 1-26). “Give to the Most High as He has given to you, generously, according to your means. For He is a God who always repays and will give back to you seven-fold” (vv. 12-13).

2. Bribery and extortion are not acceptable to God (v. 14). “He is a God of justice, who shows no partiality” (v. 15). This divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor (see Lv. 19:15; Dt. 1:17). “He hears the grievance of the oppressed. He does not forsake the cry of the orphan nor the widow” (vv. 16-17).

3. Resp. Ps. 34: 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 — “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord; let the poor hear and be glad “ (vv. 2-4). The Lord is against evildoers and hears the cry of the righteous and “rescues them from their afflictions. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed” (vv. 17-19). The Lord redeems the souls of His servants and does not condemn anyone who takes refuge in Him (v. 23).

4. 2nd Reading, 2 Tm. 4:6-8, 16-18 — “For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand” (v. 6). Paul recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out as a sacrifice, “a libation” (see Ex. 29:38-40; Phil. 2:17).

5. Having kept the faith, Paul awaits the crown of glory from the Lord, who awards the same crown to all the righteous, who wait in faith for His coming. “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearance” (vv. 17-18).

6. Gospel, Lk. 18:9-14 — The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus addresses this parable “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else” (v. 9). Introducing the parable, Luke contrasts being righteous and “despising.” He thus right away exposes the perverse meaning of hypocritical righteousness.

7. A Pharisee and a tax collector pray in the Temple. The Pharisee brags of his fidelity to religious ritual and of not being sinful like the tax collector (vv. 10-12). His prayer is totally devoid of faith and humility. But the tax collector, with great awareness of his unworthiness, stands at a distance and, not daring to raise his eyes, beats his breast and prays, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” It is a prayer of a faith-filled and humble entrustment to God. A lesson on efficacious prayer.

“I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 14).

8. The Liturgy of the Word exposes God’s partiality to the poor (1st Reading and Resp. Ps), His mercy on the humble and His impatience with the self-righteous (Gospel). For our prayer to be efficacious, it has to flow from deep faith, akin to Paul’s faith, and from sincere humility and poverty of spirit. Mercy on the poor and humble is God’s attribute.

9. Prayer — Almighty ever-living God, increase our faith, hope, and charity, and make us love what You command, so that we may merit what You promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.