Perhaps, it is simply a part of humanness that people love stories. Contemporary culture encourages new parents to read to their babies and young children, to nurture that love from the beginning and enculture a fondness for reading. Whenever, Andy and I journey we listen to audiobooks; we both have a stack of books on our bedside tables, and our kindles are never far away. And we learn — even when reading fiction, we find that we learn a lot.
In the lectionary (Luke 18.9-14) Jesus told a story. It is part of a series where Jesus uses the medium of storytelling to speak to his audience about how to live. This story is told to “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt”. (9)
As I read this opening phrase of the story I wondered if the parable is meant as a kind of mirror encouraging each person to look at their own life. As I mused on those few words, I wondered if everyone has not at some point in their lives looked on someone else with contempt and thought themselves better. It is so very easy to do, and often subtle, perhaps no one is exempt. I only need to glance at social media to see how this plays out. So many comments and memes suggest that others are foolish, corrupt, or less enlightened therefore hinting that the author/poster is more righteous. It has become pervasive in our society, this small habit of belittling of others to make oneself appear better, wiser, kinder more righteous
A mirror doesn’t flatter or condemn; it simply reflects what is there. Perhaps Jesus’ story is meant to be that kind of mirror — one that helps us see what is hidden from our own view. So, the real question isn’t “Who in my life acts like that Pharisee?” but “Where is the Pharisee in me?”
That’s why I’ve entitled this reflection Look in a Mirror. As I read the words of Jesus, it is tempting to apply them to others who fit the description. But my concern must be with myself, what I think, what I say, what I write and how I treat others.
Jesus ends by talking about humility. As I read that I thought of our understandings — so many of them are pertinent to the teaching brought by Jesus in this story. If anyone has not read them in a while I encourage you to read through all of them.
The fifth talks specifically about humility:
“… we aspire to be honest, real and down-to-earth. Humility is opposed to the arrogance, isolation and deception that pride brings. We accept our spiritual poverty, our limitations and dependency …”
And the sixth talks about how we need to be authentic, not putting on a show of righteousness as the pharisee in Jesus’ story did:
“… to be the same on Monday as Sunday; to be the same at work as at home; to be the same with our family as with our friends and colleagues.”
In the story the Pharisee performed goodness for others to see but the tax collector looked honestly at himself — he looked in the mirror and saw need rather than perfection.
So, this week, this story invites me to pause and look in the mirror before I speak, before I post and before I judge.
