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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings: Oct. 28, 2007
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
October 28, Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23
2) 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
3) Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
Years ago when I worked providing pastoral care in a psychiatric hospital, I learned about healthy and unhealthy behaviors that were observed by the hospital staff as markers of a patient's progress or regression. One of the more unfavorable signs was "attention-seeking" behavior. Usually it meant that the patient, insecure and fearful, would eschew desirable tools of self-reliance for more manipulative means to get his or her emotional needs met by the staff, often at the expense of other patients.
Outside the confines of the hospital, there's a maxim that's frequently used to describe complainers who persist until they eventually get their way: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." When employed by those who believe that silent suffering is preferable to whining, the saying implies that relentless complaint and protest are devices used by the selfish, the immature and the egocentric. It also implies that attention and service are in short supply, so one should compete for them in any way one can.
But sometimes the squeaky wheel really needs greasing. There are people whose situations are dire and whose complaints are truly justified. And -- as indicated in today's readings -- those complaints are heard, and answered, by a God who "knows no favorites" but nonetheless responds with justice to the cries of widows, orphans and the poor. And there doesn't seem to be any shortage of God's attention to those in distress; there's plenty to go around.
In today's Gospel, Jesus offers a parable that illustrates two kinds of attention-seekers. The Pharisee, taking the more conspicuous position in the Temple, trusts in his own devices by pointing out at the expense of others what he has done to deserve God's notice. But the tax collector, admitting his sinfulness and trusting in God's compassion, prays in a way that truly gets God's attention.
In his plea for mercy he avoids both extremes -- he neither boasts of his virtue nor suffers in silence, but he approaches God with an attitude of confident humility.
When taken with Luke's previous story of the complaining widow and the dishonest judge, this parable teaches the importance of meek but persistent prayer. To God's ears, a cry for help from a contrite heart is heard. In God's world the squeaky wheel really does get the grease.
QUESTIONS:
When was the last time you truly complained to God about something? Was your complaint a selfish bid for attention or a cry for God's justice and mercy?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"He who serves God willingly is heard" (Sirach 35:16).
END
Copyright © 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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