He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. (Luke 18:9) "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.' (Luke 18:10-12) 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!" (Luke 18:13) 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. (Luke 18:14)
We are given our place in the Reign of God. It is not something we can plan to achieve. It is not something for which we plot. We are not expected to make an argument about who we are and how we are who we are. We are to claim that we are gifted - we are the beloved of God - we trust that what God had done and how God sees us is enough. The Pharisee was not at all ready to settle into that reality - even in the temple. He was within the walls of what one could say was the "home" of God in in mindset of the Jews, and yet he felt the need to justify himself and to also stand there at the expense of others. He was at home and yet he could not be as one who is at home and safe and beloved. What great sorry there is in that picture. Home is the place in which we can be vulnerable to the point of opening up and being honest with all of our shortcomings but also with our great thanks that we are forgiven and welcome even when we do not warrant such hospitality. When we do not try to make the world spin around us, there is great opportunity to see the beauty of God's Reign and to see how interconnected we all are. To be in the temple together - to be in our congregations together - to look around and see those not like me and yet still with us in temple or congregation is a vision of life that we do not make ourselves. It is a gift that exalts all of us.
Connection: The home of God is among God's people and that puts us right in the middle of that home no matter where we will venture today. Be here - today - as though those around us are truly our brothers and sisters within God's Reign.
We give you thanks, O God, for bringing us all home. We give you thanks for not waiting for us to come back to you. We give you thanks for being the power that creates a home even when we attempt to separate and divide. We are humbled by your gracious love and we long to be empowered for life by such graciousness. Amen.
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