Oct 24, 2010 - How NOT to Pray

Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Today’s readings continue last Sunday's theme of prayer. The best way for me to further clarify the theme would be to say that, if last Sunday’s theme was about how to pray, this week’s theme is “How NOT to pray.” For example, the gospel reading contrasts the prayer of the Pharisee with that of the tax-collector. The tables are turned in this parable. The righteous person’s prayer finds no place in God’s eyes, whereas, the sinner goes home justified. How do we explain this sudden reversal of fortune?