A visit to the center of the Catholic universe

Many of the delegates were up late last night to review drafts of various portions of the proposed statuates and prepare recommendations for improvements.  But the group was on the bus at 7 a.m. to head to St. Peter’s Square and the Wednesday audience with the Holy Father.

Pope Francis talked about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. (cf. Lk 18:9-14).

“Both men go up to the temple to pray, but they act in very different ways, and obtain the opposite results. The Pharisee prays “standing” (v. 11), and uses many words. His is, yes, a prayer of thanksgiving addressed to God, but in reality it is a display of his own merits, with a sense of superiority over “other men”, described as “extortioners, unjust, adulterers,” as, for example, — and he signals the who was there — “this tax collector” (v. 11).

“But this is precisely where the problem lies: The Pharisee prays to God, but in reality looks to himself. He prays to himself! Instead of having the Lord before his eyes, he has a mirror. Although he is in the temple, he does not feel the need to prostrate himself before the majesty of God; he stands, he feels secure, almost as though he were the lord of the temple! He lists the good works he has accomplished: he is irreprehensible, observant of the Law beyond what is required, he fasts “twice a week” and pays “tithes” on all he possesses. In short, more than praying, the Pharisee takes pleasure in his own observance of the precepts. Yet his attitude and his words are far from God’s way of acting and and speaking, who loves all people and does not despise sinners. On the contrary, the Pharisee despises sinners, even when he notes the one who is there. In short, the Pharisee, who thinks he is righteous, neglects the most important commandment: love for God and for neighbor.”