Education in Faith

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – year C

Approach God with humility rather than with self- justification 

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us a story about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. It also teaches us how to pray and have a good heart. Jesus was not too impressed with the self-centredness of the Pharisee. 

The Pharisee was quite certain that he was a good and righteous man better than most. For sure, he was better than the tax collector. However, as Jesus often did in his teachings, he turned society’s ideas upside down. It was really the humble tax collector recognizing his own sinfulness that Jesus said would be dignified.

The two men in the story behaved very differently in the temple that day.

The Pharisee was proud and thought he was better than other people. The tax collector knew that he was no better than anyone else and that only God could give him the forgiveness and mercy he needed. The Pharisee judged the tax collector. He thought that the tax collector was not as good as he was. However, we are all equal and special in the eyes of God, who loves us all. 

The story also explores the different prayer styles gives us pause for reflection on our own prayer style. 

Jesus wanted the Pharisees (religious leaders) and us, to understand that the things we say when we pray are not as important as what is in our hearts, what we are thinking and feeling deep down. 

The Pharisees thought the way to enter God’s Kingdom was by keeping many rules and making new rules. The Pharisees thought that all the people who did not keep their rules were bad and unacceptable to God.

There is nothing wrong with rules. Every family, school, church and organisation has them. We need rules. Why do you think we need some rules in life?I am sure that you have rules at home. What about school rules? 

Rules guide us and help us not to hurt ourselves or others. Rules should help us to keep ourselves safe and to think about what other people need. We should always be concerned about other people.

Yet there is something wrong with thinking that we are better than other people just because we follow rules. We all do things wrong sometimes. We need to own up, say sorry and accept that although others are different to us, they are still loved by God. 

The Pharisee did have good points – he did not steal, do unjust things etc.

No one liked tax collectors because they were known as dishonest people who would wrongly increase the taxes and then take the profits, in other words they would steal from people. How do you think the tax collector felt?

Am I more like the tax collector, humble and sorry for my sins, or am I more like the Pharisee, proud and aware only of my good points? Maybe I fluctuate between the two positions? Can I find a proper balance?

Sometimes we meet people who act as if they are better than others. They think that they deserve special treatment. And then there are people who are so kind and good that they don't even realise how special they. They are always trying to do their best.

When you do a good deed for someone, do you run around and tell everyone? Sometimes it is hard not to.

When someone gets a new toy, bike, rollerblades etc, it is hard not to be envious when it is something you want. How do you feel when they keep talking about it? No one likes people who brag. Maybe we can learn from that. If you were to get a new toy or something special you could tell your friends but then maybe offer to share it with them.

God will honour and praise people who are honest about themselves and who do not brag.

What type of friends do you choose to be with? Do you think you teach one another new things?

No matter who we are where we come from, the colour of our skin, whether we are rich or poor, tall or short, we are special in God’s eyes. God loves us all very much. 

This week try not to judge others just because they are different to you. Try to treat all people you meet with kindness and respect. Think about how you can show love and kindness to someone you meet. Also, this week try to think about the things that you could do better, say sorry to God for the times you get things wrong and ask God to help you to get them right next time.

Whilst God does not have favourites, this week’s readings tell us that he does seem to have a preference for the humble. Even if you do lead, a good and blameless life there is no need to boast about it. God knows us intimately and does not need to be told just how good we are. The tax collector, for all his sins, seems to have chosen the better path in his sorrow and humility.

God already knows our good and bad points. He treats everyone equally. Some people only want to make themselves happy or make a good impression on a certain group of people. God does not have favourites. We are all loved by God.

Discussion Starters

I was especially humble before God in prayer when . . .

I know I’m not a perfect parent and I need God’s help to . . .

One time I was like the Pharisee when . . 

What do you remember from today's reading?

The Pharisee goes to the Temple to pray, but what does he say and how does he feel? 

The Pharisee is full of pride. He thinks he's brilliant, that he's done everything right and that God must love him very much. 

Then a tax collector comes to pray. But what does he say and how does he feel?

The tax collector is humble and ashamed. He knows he has done wrong and he asks God for forgiveness. 

We are very important in the lives of our children, but do we allow them to see us walk humbly with God? 

Do we allow them to see us on our knees and hear us admit our weaknesses to God? 

Consider how you might represent the tax collector to your children. How might they see you like this Pharisee?

Prayer: Merciful God, you know us through and through, and you forgive us when we have done wrong. Help us to know when we have made a mistake and to come to you with them in prayer each day. Help us to know when we are being proud or when we have forgotten to be forgiving towards others. Help us to do what is pleasing to you. Amen.

SACRAMENTS 2023

To assist us with the administration and preparation of the Sacraments for 2023 we ask you to please accept/decline on Operoo, to indicate the Sacrament your child will be celebrating in 2023. 

Dates for Sacraments, Parent and Child Workshops will be published in our school app, calendar and newsletter closer to the date of the Sacrament. 

Reconciliation Baptised Catholics in Year 3 or above.

Sacrament of First Eucharist Baptised Catholics in or above who have received their Reconciliation.

Sacrament of Confirmation Year 6 ONLY Catholics, who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

God Bless 

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM

MINI VINNIES

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

At the end of this term we will announce the House who wins the 

Community Spirit Shield for 2022. 

Here is an update of points so far this term.

Term 4 -  Week 1 & 2 Points:

MacKillop      316

Teresa            305

Patrick            299

Bosco             262

Congratulations MacKillop!

Total points so far this year:

1st        Teresa              3 596

2nd       MacKillop       3 327

3rd        Patrick             3 105

4th        Bosco              3 041

Well done Teresa for being in the lead again this week but as you can see points are very close!!!

Giuliana and SFS Mini Vinnies