Family Bible Study - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that
they were righteous and despised others: 10 "Two men went up into the
temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like
other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector,
standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his
breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went
down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Questions for discussion -

1. Jesus praises the humble tax collector who begs God for mercy for all his
sins. How often do you ask God to be merciful to you?

2. The Pharisee (a teacher in Judaism) seemed to be a good man, who gave up
food, gave 10% of his money to the Church and prayed a lot. Why do you think
Jesus said he went away without getting his prayer heard?

3. How do you pray? Do you pray more like the humble tax collector or more
like the proud Pharisee? Be honest.
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry