Sunday 23 October

Thirtieth Week of Ordinary Time

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19; Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23; 2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Lord have mercy

They say that the Mass is a celebration. So wouldn’t you expect to begin with a cheery greeting, a glass of fizz and a feel-good story? Instead, straight in, we ‘call to mind our sins.’ What a squelch! A doomed party indeed! This unusual celebration (Mass) begins with the tender story of this publican, eyes downcast in the synagogue, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” Now the party can really begin. Jesus says that he went home that day “at rights with God” – the very best cause for a celebration.