Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 26, 2025
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Church
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
In a Italian pasta conversation with cousin Jan, we talked yesterday about the puzzle that is works vs. grace. Not a puzzle to Martin Luther after his late-night Romans 3 revelation about freedom and grace. Not a puzzle to Anne Rice, author of bestsellers about Lestat the vampire and Jesus the Savior, who grew up Catholic and certain of the necessity of works to salvation. But a puzzle to me, as I experience Romans 7 … what I want to do I do not do. I am saved by grace, and want to be a giver/servant/healer/helper, but my “salvation” slows me down just enough to keep me in my seat.
Not OK. Here I am the Pharisee, hypocrite, failure saved by grace. Well, that’s doesn’t sound right, Lord. I imagine the puzzle won’t be solved except as the Holy Spirit fills me and centers me on Jesus, who certainly keeps us all guessing when he talks to Nicodemus or Peter or Pilate. This is a both-and situation if I’ve ever known one. “Faith without works is dead.” Works without faith is dead. I want to follow Moses and Choose Life, Not Death.
Henri Nouwen touches on another part of this puzzle, namely that my righteous acts settle me into the pride of being saved/chosen/special. I know others are chosen also, but how easy is that for me to forget.
Too easy.
In this world when you are chosen, you know that somebody else is not chosen. When you are the best, you know that somebody is not the best. When you win and receive a prize, you know there is somebody who lost. But this is not so in the heart of God. As you are chosen in the heart of God, you have eyes to see the chosenness of others. As the Love of God blesses you, you have eyes to see the blessedness of others. – Henri Nouwen
So on this Sunday as we watch the Bears, play games with Chris’ family, and celebrate our love for each other and God’s love for us, I choose to give space for the Holy Spirit to continue her convicting, any moment and any situation that I invite her in. Come, Holy Spirit. Be my guest. Let these gifts, to us be blessed. Thank you, Lord.
(Sirach 35, Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4, 2 Corinthians 5, Luke 18)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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