Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee Tone 5: Fast Free Week
February 20, 2005
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 10:17-27 Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15 Gospel: St. Luke 18:9-14
St. Luke 18:9-14, especially vs. 14: "...for everyone who exalts himself, will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted." The Holy Fathers commend the cry of repentance, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have
mercy on me a sinner," as the best means for humbling oneself. The prayers of the Liturgy likewise expect us to struggle
for humility before God, for they beseech God that we "...complete the remaining time of our life in peace and
repentance." Is it possible to achieve a constant and pure humility of heart and mind? Obviously not if we adopt the
attitude of the Pharisee, congratulating ourselves on our piety (Lk. 18:11-12). Rather, that which the Lord highlights
concerning the attitude of the Publican is offered as the true way to humility, for "...this man went down to his house
justified" (vs. 14).
First, we learn that the Publican "stood afar off" (vs.13). From whom or what did he distance himself? He saw little good
in himself compared with anyone else in the Temple, such as the pious Pharisee. He saw that he was far from God.
Therefore, he "...would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven..." (vs. 13). Like King David, who was pierced to the heart
by his sins of adultery and murder, the Publican could only bow down before the Lord. His downcast eyes admit exactly
what David said to God: "Against Thee only have I sinned..." (Ps. 50:4 LXX).
Wait! Does King David's statement make sense? Uriah, a good, loyal soldier lay dead. Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, was
violated and pregnant with David's child. What of the sin the king committed against this couple? But King David
understood that, first and foremost, his sin was against God. Beloved of the Lord, the eye of our God is "too pure to behold
evil" (Hab. 1:13 LXX). Hence, let us also confess that sin has separated us from the King of all.
Second, of course, sin also separates us from other Christians. As St. Paul looked into his own soul, he knew himself as
chief of all sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). No matter how others perceived him - as a great, vigorous, strict champion of the Law
or as a righteous man - Christ's revelation of Himself to Paul laid bare to the Apostle the worst in his life, thoughts, and
deeds. May the Holy Spirit disclose our sins to us, and may He show us clearly how our sins have violated the trust we
have with the Church of God. Sin damages communion, compromises our fellow Christians, abandons them in their
struggles, and weakens the entire witness of the Church before the world. Let us "stand afar off" and mourn our sins.
Third, the Publican "beat his breast" (vs. 13). The man had violated his own soul. Every sin wreaks havoc with our own
highest and best. We denigrate and mar the precious image of God within us, to our shame and loss. However, notice the
words of the man whom God deems truly forgiven: "God, be merciful to me a sinner" (vs. 13). We recognize these words.
They are the second portion of the Jesus Prayer, verbatim. They illumine the pathway to reconciliation. In them is the hope
of restoration, a balm that speeds God's healing of His broken image within us.
Let us determine to rouse our conscience and galvanize the shreds of faith still in us. Let us, like the Publican, cry out to
God, "Have mercy upon me a sinner!" Of course not mouthed routinely, but in a cry from pain of heart offered contritely
before the throne of God. It is possible to achieve a healing repentance if we allow God to open our eyes and show us
ourselves as we are before Him. Then we may cry out fruitfully:
O Lord God of my salvation, Savior and Benefactor of my soul, I am truly sorry for all my transgressions. I firmly resolve
to amend my life. Implant in me the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that I may trample down all carnal desire and
lead a godly life, ever pleasing Thee, walking uprightly in Thy statutes unto life eternal with all of Thy Saints.
