Sirach 35.15b-17,20-22a | 2 Timothy 4.6-8,16-18 | Luke 18.9-14

We begin the thirtieth week of Ordinary Time with Mother Church, concluding the missionary month, the month of the Rosary.

The missionary Rosary is a suggestion to step outside ourselves and intercede for missionaries and the peoples of the five continents, for their needs and challenges.

The green of the African continent recalls its forests and also the hope of the growth of the Christian faith, thanks also to the missionaries there.

The red of the American continent recalls the skin color of the first inhabitants, the indigenous people, and also the blood of the martyrs shed by these peoples during the conquest of these lands by Europeans and also today.

The white of the European continent recalls the land of the white race. It is also the continent that has the presence of the Pope, the great messenger and missionary of peace. 

The blue of the Oceanic continent recalls its many islands, so lacking in missionaries, yet already sending their missionaries to other lands. It is also the continent of ecology, which fights for the preservation of nature.

And the yellow of the Asian continent recalls the yellow race, the cradle of ancient civilizations, cultures, and religions. Almost half the planet's population and the smallest percentage of Christians are found there.

Let us pray the missionary Rosary, committed to intercession for missionaries and the people of the five continents.

Today, the Evangelist Luke tells us the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican who prayed in the temple.

In short, the Pharisees were a group of Jews who strictly followed the Law of Moses and considered themselves religiously superior to those who did not. The Publicans were Jews who collected taxes for the Roman dominators and were considered traitors and infidels by the people, especially the Pharisees. 

In telling this parable, Jesus emphasized that the Pharisee was not justified because his prayer demonstrated pride (which is one of the seven deadly sins). It was as if the Pharisee had no need of God, because he already justified himself with his fasting and tithing.

The Publican, on the other hand, was justified because his prayer demonstrated humility. He, in fact, needed God's mercy because he recognized himself as a sinner.

Justification is the reestablishment of friendship with God after the experience of sin. Justification is a free gift from God, granted to those who trust in Him and sincerely repent, returning to the path of goodness.

Fasting and tithing are valid and legitimate expressions of love for God and neighbor, which lead to growth in holiness. But when charity is replaced by pride, works lose their value.

Let us demonstrate that Christianity is the religion of humility and charity, whether in prayer within the temple or in daily life. 

Today, the author of the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) speaks to us of the prayer of the humble, which is not despised by the Lord.

The poor and the oppressed do not rest until the Lord intervenes, administering justice and judgment.

The author emphasizes that the Lord is impartial and does not discriminate. God welcomes all who can approach Him without fear and with confidence, especially those who serve Him as He desires.

Therefore, let us pray with the certainty that we will be heard and answered by this God who loves us and who rejoices when His children are in His presence with humility and trust.

Today, the apostle Paul speaks to us in his second letter to Timothy of the Lord's presence with him when everyone else abandoned him, giving him strength to continue proclaiming the message to all nations.

The apostle was in prison, had already presented his first defense, and knew that his death sentence by the Romans was approaching. It is worth remembering that Paul had been a radical Pharisee and a disciple of the master Gamaliel (cf. Acts 22:3). Upon knowing Christ through faith, the apostle abandoned pride and self-justification to humbly receive the justification given by God through the redemptive Cross. Therefore, Paul was certain that the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him the crown of righteousness at His glorious manifestation. The Lord would free him from all evil and save him for His heavenly Kingdom.

Today (as in the past), many countries persecute, imprison, and kill Christians who proclaim the Gospel, the Good News. May these brothers and sisters of ours feel accompanied by us in daily prayer, as we defend religious freedom and the secular nature of the State.

Let us pray with pride for the beloved martyrs who courageously proclaimed the Christian message, with words and with the red of their blood.