Newsletter – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

Some people like just salt on their food and other people like only pepper. Like black and white, salt and pepper seem to be opposites. But some people like them both and use them together, as complements to each other’s flavour. The proud Pharisee and the humble sinner seem to be opposites, but they can also be seen as complements as well.

The proud Pharisee was able to understand the good things about himself. This gave him confidence to pray in thanksgiving for his blessings.

It’s good to be thankful for blessings, but Jesus would probably say the proud Pharisee took it a bit too far. Why do you think so?

The humble sinner was able to understand the flaws in himself. But still he had the confidence to pray for forgiveness and mercy. It’s good to be aware of all your flaws, but a person could take this a bit too far as well.

Do you think Jesus wants us to focus only on our sinfulness, and to be obsessed with being an unworthy, ‘second-class’ citizen? Why or why not?

Is it possible to have a healthy pride in your talents, as well as a healthy humility in your place on earth as a servant of God? What would that look like? How would you know when you had achieved such a balance?

By the way, which do you like better – salt or pepper? Or do you like them both? Do you see them as opposites or complements? black and white or shades of grey?

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