In last Sunday's Gospel (Lk 18: 9-14) we found another instance of what I was wondering a few days ago about the dependability and strength of our faith.
We can see here the typical Pharisee, fully convinced of his own virtuousness and merit just because he is “not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector” standing next to him. In addition, expecting nothing but the adequate reward he deemed fully deserved.
On the other hand, the tax collector did not even dare to lift his eyes to heaven while he kept saying “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner”
I cannot help but paralleling our present western societies with these two persons.
Moreover, I can imagine many of us reacting very much like that Pharisee. We are not crooked (not much, in any case); we are not adulterous or disloyal (not much, in any case); we are not greedy (not much, in any case); on top of everything, we attend the Sunday Eucharist (Catholics) or Services (Protestants) and, every now and then, we may even give to an indigent some small alms.
Bearing all that in mind, we should be accepted amongst the chosen ones to the Kingdom of God…, just in case it does exist at all, should not we?
Meanwhile, where do we stand regarding the “love thy neighbor” Commandment? Possibly the one we are less willing to fulfill because, most of the time, it implies renouncing and relinquishing to our deepest beliefs and to what we consider our undisputable rights...
Within a few days our Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting our city of Barcelona for the consecration and blessing of the famous Temple of the Holy Family.
(check: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:qboXXLCAJQ4J:www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/spain/barcelona/sagrada/sagrada.html+the+temple+of+the+holy+family+in+barc elona&cd=2&hl=es&ct=clnk)
The Pope will only spend a few hours here on his way to Santiago de Compostela, where he must attend the closing of the Holy Year. Both events are certainly important for the R.C.Church but the expenditure involved is rather extraordinary. The archdioceses estimate it to be around 2 million dollars, without bearing in mind the expenses the City Halls and the Government will have to sustain for safety and protection in both cities.
Next year he is also to visit Madrid for another important event: the World Youth Day, where 2 million young participants are expected.
This is fine and perhaps quite necessary but, to a certain extent, it reminds me of the Pharisee's approach to God.
We will be submitted to ceremonies and performances that probably are more in the nature of what was to be expected in the Renaissance days, when Kings and Popes used to live in great magnificence and grandeur. However, perhaps not too adequate in the time of crisis we are bearing now, when millions are starving and dying of famine…
Another instance: was it necessary for Michelle Obama to spend more than a quarter of a million dollars (so they say) to spend just a short week in Marbella?
Our economies are choking, national debts are spiraling all over out of control and our authorities are asking us to tighten our belts and share in the sacrifice. But what about them?
Last Sunday the RC Church celebrated the DOMUND (World Mission Day) when the Church demands contributions for the missions all over the World.
Is not it however contradictory and paradoxical to be asking for handouts for the Mission (which do need them) while spending fabulous amounts in actions which are perhaps not as essential as the Missions are.
So I wonder, who is really following the “love thy neighbor” Commandment with iron-strong faith? The humble missionaries nobody knows, who sacrifice their life to help other human beings in need of everything or the Church hierarchy which could very well do without so much outlay?
Perhaps, I am all wrong. And this is why I place the question here.
