The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Jubilee Preaching Aid for October 26, 2025

“Jesus told this parable to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked on others with contempt…” (Luke 18: 9)

Am I listening to Jesus talk to me? Are we listening?

Scripture scholars tell us that Pharisees observed every iota of the Law with absolute strictness. But we miss the meaning if we think that the story that Jesus told is only about Pharisees. It is not. It is about us.

It’s about those of us who see ourselves as good people, perhaps even holy. Maybe, we are those who go to church regularly and others describe us as ‘religious.’

But, in a world crumbling under the speed of the ever-widening gap between the few who have too much and those who have little or nothing, a world seemingly determined to destroy the planet-earth that feeds us, in a world which is becoming evermore anti-migrant, anti-refugee, anti-newcomer, in a world in which war is normal, in which a culture of indifference and apathy paralyzes and unbridled selfishness dominates, can you and I dare to be smug? Do we really think that we are so-called ‘good people’ all on our own? Can we be ‘confident of our own righteousness and look down on everyone else?’

The Pharisee wasn’t aware of his own soul, he did not recognize himself nor did he accept who he was. He was not conscious of his profound need for our Merciful God. Yes, he followed the Law strictly and was convinced that his fidelity was more than enough. But once again let us remember that this story isn’t really about him; it’s about me, it’s about you, it’s about us.

The tax collector, on the other hand, is free of denial; he knows himself; he is not afraid of what he recognizes in himself. Some scholars say that he finds himself working as a tax collector because there is nothing else; there are no other jobs for him. For that reason, he is forced to stoop very low because he must feed his family. He extorts money from others, even his own countrymen, out of

desperation. That reason does not excuse him, but it does explain his plight. All he can hope for is God’s merciful forgiveness. Free of all illusions, he knows viscerally his brokenness and his need of God. In him there is no pretending, no mask, no excuses. He knows God loves him. He has a personal relationship with the Holy One.

I am deeply struck by the fact that it is Jesus who tells us this parable. He is speaking to those of us who “were confident of their own righteousness and looked at others with contempt.” He speaks very directly and simply, a face to face telling of the story.

In listening, I realize that part of the Pharisee is in me, in us. And part of the tax collector is in me, in us. Jesus knows that. He knows us. And we cannot imagine how deeply he loves us. He wants us to recognize who we are; we are those in need of forgiveness. He is speaking to us without any pretences because he cares so deeply about us. He is nudging us to be as aware of who we are just as the tax collector was. Jesus longs that we recognize our sinfulness, our profound need for our Merciful, Tender God, and that we too can call, “Be merciful to me a sinner”

As we live the Jubilee Year of Hope may we be stirred to a profound change of heart, one that yearns to look at everyone with love and compassion rather than with contempt and derision. May we have a heart that whispers and sometimes cries, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner’

“I tell you that this person, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

Maura McGrath, a Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame, is a former member of KAIROS steering committee and is presently living in Montreal.