Bridging the Divide

It’s a familiar problem.  We all like to believe that our understanding of an issue, or whatever is happening around us, is right.  At the very least we like to think we have the right opinion or the right attitude.  Because of our disposition people who differ from us in their attitude or opinion about something are usually wrong.  We hear it all the time; I am right but you are wrong.

It is easy to fall into this trap.  We divide our selves into all kinds of categories – liberal or conservative, democrat or republican, religious or atheist, self-righteous or humble, those who are “in the know” and those who are left out. 

It was like this with the Pharisee and the tax collector as we heard in today’s gospel.  This story is found only in Luke’s gospel, and while it may be hypothetical it nevertheless makes a powerful statement.  The Pharisee was righteous; he kept the law, attended worship in the temple on a regular basis, and lived a good and lawful life.  The tax collector also went up to the temple, but he had to stand “far off” because he was an agent of the Roman occupiers and was not welcomed.  In fact, he was despised and shunned because of his position.

The Pharisee and the tax collector represent two stereotypes that were familiar to first century Jewish and early Christian communities.  They were polar opposites.  The Pharisee was a righteous person, prayerful, faithful, generous, and devout.  He was a person with whom it was difficult to find fault.  The tax collector, on the other hand, was a terrible person, hated by just about everyone.  He often extorted money from his own people.  Those who listened to Jesus telling this story likely concluded that God would ignore the tax collector.  He certainly was not worthy or devout like the Pharisee.

By anyone’s definition the tax collector was a sinner, alienated from God and his fellow citizens.  He collaborated with the enemies of his people for the sake of his own safety and gain.  However, he was aware of his situation and called out to God for mercy.  He knew his failings, and he knew he was in need of repentance.  He acknowledged that through the power of prayer change was possible.

The tax collector stood some distance away from the temple.  We are told that he did not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”  It was generally thought that tax collectors were on a level with robbers; they possessed no civic rights, and were shunned by all respectable people. The tax collector, by beating his breast, demonstrated an expression of the deepest contrition.  Jesus said, “I tell you, this tax collector went home justified, rather than the other.” 

This parable pits the Pharisee’s public prayer thanking God for not being like “those other people,” against the tax collector’s beating his breast and pleading for mercy. The central issue is about the kind of treatment one person gives to another.  It is about the religious qualities of kindness and virtue; it is not about discrimination and judgment.

Jesus’ point was that God decides who is justified.  God welcomes the hopeless sinner and rejects the self-righteous.  God is the God of those who despair and who truly repent.  The Pharisees repeatedly asked Jesus, “Why do you associate with this underclass, these outcasts who are shunned by all respectable people?”  Jesus told the Pharisees, “They need me, because they are truly repentant, and because they have faith and are grateful for God’s forgiveness.”

God has no favorites.  God hears the cries of the weak, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan, those who are well off and those who are poor.  God’s love is extended to everyone.  The end of the story tells us the tax collector went home “justified rather than the other.” In stark contrast the Pharisee returned to the temple to continue in his self-righteous life.

The problems we have today in bridging divisions and distributing justice in a fair and equitable manner have no easy solution.  While we do what we can to build communities of justice, equality, peace and opportunity for everyone, discrimination and prejudice continue to dominate relationships among individuals and groups.

Do we pray the way the Pharisee did, thanking God for the good and self-righteous life we enjoy, or do we ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness to guide us in changing our lives and those of others for a better and more virtuous future?  May we do as Paul said in his letter to Timothy, ask the Lord to rescue us “from every evil attack and save [us] for his heavenly kingdom.  To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”