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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For many centuries it was believed and taught that the earth was the center of man’s universe. There was the sun and there were other planets…but the earth was the greatest and at the center. With the invention of the telescope, it became more and more clear that, that teaching could no longer be believed and therefore should not be taught. It became clear that the sun was the center of our solar system and the earth, and all the other planets revolved around it. Many objected and shouted “heresy!” including with the Church. Many were condemned for thinking and teaching such lies. We know the rest of the story. Over time, science was declared “right,” and we put aside our ignorance and arrogance.
Today’s parable from Jesus presents a community leader, Pharisee, who sees himself at the “center” of his universe. This allows him to look down upon and pass judgement on others in this case a tax collector. He even boasts about himself to God and is sure to bring to God’s attention how much better a man he is than this “sinner,” as if God needed the Pharisee to bring it to His attention. In reality, the Pharisee was speaking more to himself than to God.
Sometimes it would be good to look at ourselves from the outside with a “telescope” so to speak or to look at ourselves under a microscope; so that we can see ourselves for who we really are…flawed, not perfect, prone to mistakes, and many times a sinner. We shouldn’t see ourselves as the “center” of the universe in our little part of the world: marriage, family, workplace, at school; because if we do, we make the mistake of thinking that everybody and everything has to revolve around me. And they don’t…and they shouldn’t. When we make ourselves the center of our world, all the other worlds are countless and less….marriage, family, workplace, at school, etc. and they grow smaller and eventually disappear and we are left alone. -Msgr. Greg