When I was the rector of St. Paul’s in the West End, I invited Archbishop Douglas Hambidge to lead a Bible Study for the Burrard Deanery. We looked in some detail at Luke’s Gospel and I remember quite vividly the comments he made on today’s passage. He asked us not to rush to be harsh on the Pharisee in the story, reminding us that Luke paints a rather different picture of the Pharisees than does Matthew. For Matthew, they are frequently linked with Scribes and both groups are condemned as hypocrites; saying one thing and doing another. Archbishop Douglas pointed out that there is no suggestion in the text that this man does not do exactly what he says. In fact, he went on to explain that the Pharisee went much further in his religious actions than the Law required. Fasting was obligatory only on the Day of Atonement and tithing was expected just on earned income, not everything a man acquired. Then Archbishop Douglas wondered aloud as to why God was not able to use such a pious man in His preparation for the Coming of the Kingdom. He answered his own question, as he thumped the table – “God says ‘I cannot get in. There is no space for me in his self-righteousness’ “.
Other people in the Bible Study group showed that they already understood why the tax-collector was reluctant to look up to Heaven. Many commentaries point out this group of people were absolute outsiders and were held in supreme contempt because they worked for the occupying power. They not only imposed the extortionate tax rules of the Roman Empire, they frequently spied and reported upon their own people. Unlike the Pharisee, the tax collector is clearly aware of divine judgement, of the gap that exists between himself and God. All he can do is throw himself on God’s mercy.
Archbishop Douglas concluded his comments on this passage by saying, very simply, that the first step on our spiritual journey is to acknowledge our true state before God. We need to realize that in ourselves we are nothing, but by God’s love and grace we can become everything.
As I think back on his remarks, I am grateful to have had such a skilled exponent of the scriptures as my first Bishop in this Diocese.
Father Neil G.