Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)
Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
We have to be very, very careful in this weekend's Gospel reading. A Gospel such as this one can lead us very close to anti-semetism. The Pharisee described in the parable has done what he believed his religion required of him. He followed his heart and he was thankful for all that God had done with and for him. Out in Scripture calls attention to the goodness of the Pharisee.
Today’s gospel reading appears easy to understand at first glance. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 is a favorite for those who want to chastise others regarding their sense of entitlement. Yet, this parable is about more than who should be humbled and who exalted. Embedded in this story is often overlooked message about being in true relationship with God.
The Pharisee described in the parable could not be any more different than the tax collector. He is a deeply religious individual, who has committed himself to the practices of his faith. We must take into account here that Judaism, unlike some understandings of Christianity, is a religion of loving observance. Performing specific practices expresses the intent of one’s heart and faithfulness. In Judaism, three practices were (and are) considered to be of central importance: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. This is why the Pharisee puts such an emphasis on them: “I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income” (Luke 18:12). Notice that he speaks of fasting and giving while he is praying. For him it makes sense that because he does what is expected in living a faithful life, he considers himself righteous or justified.
The idea of righteousness in the New Testament points to a relationship between the individual and God. When a person is designated as righteous, it means that she is in right relationship with God. How this relationship is understood varies somewhat in the New Testament, but in all instances, the writers maintain that God initiates this relationship. The same is true for Judaism. The practices described in this passage then are responses to God’s grace not a prerequisite for it. In this case, the Pharisee was righteous — in right relationship with God — before doing any of the actions described in the text.
The problem with the Pharisee’s prayer comes out in 18:11: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”
Here is where I want to be sure that I convey to my readers. I do not and cannot condone what Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics do and say towards those of us who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer people. What they promote is "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse." As with any abusive situation, often the person doing the abuse is someone with very sincere intentions. She or he may have a good heart or even be a very faithful Christian. The problem for them is that they bash and abuse LGBTQ people with the attitude of "thank God we are not like them." There are many LGBTQ people who want to draw close to God through good spiritual guides. However, because of "spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse" what is happening is LGBTQ people are pushed further and further away from any relationship with God and the Church. Many of those who are pushed away from God, are also pushed away from their families, friends, communities, jobs and social services just because of who they are, and how they love others.
On the flip side of the coin, it is very important that those of us who are LGBTQ do not resort to our own attitudes of self righteousness. Just because of our sexual and gender diversity, does not mean we get to do everything just as we please. We have a great gift to love and be loved by others as LGBTQ people. That gift entitles us to great opportunities many of them given to us by God. The gift does not, however, entitle us to be reckless with other people's bodies, hearts and whole lives. Just because we are oppressed does not mean we should make peace with the idea of oppressing others. There are way too many within our communities who are all too proud to bash other members of our communities who chose to still have a religious faith of any kind. There are those who are irresponsible in not getting themselves tested on a regular basis to be sure that we are not endangering other people if we have any kind of STD. I have heard way too many stories of gay men in the middle of a break up, while one of them nukes the others cat right in front of the other to watch. I have an ex lover who walked out the door with my cat as an act of passive aggression. Thanks to a good friend of mine in the community, I got her back. The point is, just because we are experiencing oppression, does not give us the license to be oppressive to others.
As LGBTQ people, we do need to realize that we are created and loved by God. We too are sinners saved by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, like all Christians. We too need to recognize with in us, is the need for God to save our souls and unite us to others in friendship and community. Many of us have wronged others in very real ways. Maybe we did it out anger because of something some anti-gay Christian said. The anger is real. The anger inspires a call for us to get others to work for justice and equality and not make peace with oppression. That is our anger at work in a positive way. If we channel that anger towards hostility and cruelty towards even members of our own communities, we are behaving no better than those who oppose our equal rights.
This Gospel is a call for us to see the good that is within us all. The message from today's Gospel is also a call to recognize our own humanity and to approach God in humility. To offer ourselves as we are, and leave the work of healing and growing in God's hands. We do not have to fix everything that is wrong about everyone around us. We are responsible for following God within the context of our own lives and hearts. We are responsible for the witness that we give to Jesus Christ in our own lives, so that others might follow a good example. If we will remain faithful, God will take care of the rest.
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.(Proper 25, Book of Common Prayer, page 235).
God, our Advocate,
open us up to the movement of your Spirit.
Allow us to see ourselves
and others that are different from us as part of you and your people.
Help us to grow in the knowledge and awareness
of your divine invitation to live in partnership with you
and help us to throw off
the prejudice, fear, rejection and pain
that separates us from your
unbounded and unconditional love.
O, God, hear our prayer. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).
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