The time is at hand when, once again, the Church begins to prepare our souls for the Season of Repentance (metanoia): Great Lent!
In Eastern Christianity, this Sunday is commonly know as the “Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee.” Abba Dorotheus provides us with a succinct commentary of today’s gospel reading in his Spiritual Instructions.
“A certain Pharisee, praying and thanking God for his virtues, was not lying, but was telling the truth. It was not for this reason that he was condemned, for we should thank God when we are able to do anything good, because God helps and supports us in such endeavors. So the Pharisee was not condemned for thanking God by recalling his virtuous deeds. Neither was he condemned for saying ‘I am not like others.’ But when he turned to the tax collector and said ‘…or like this publican,’ he was then condemned, because he judged a specific person regarding the state of his soul and his entire life. Therefore, Jesus tells us that the publican ‘went home again justified; the other did not. For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, but anyone who humbles himself will be raised up’ (Luke 18:14).”*
Have you, like the Pharisee, judged anyone lately? Jesus said Christians should be known for how deeply we love, yet in the eyes of many, we’re known for how deeply we judge, not for how deeply we love. Judging others is fundamentally incompatible with authentic Christian faith. Think about it… it is virtually impossible to love someone and judge someone at the same time.
Our Lord teaches us to be mindful of our own failings and the depth of our personal sin, rather than finding fault with our neighbor. Having humbly asked God’s pardon, we encounter a loving God who forgives us despite our failings. And having been loved, we can in turn love others.
On this prepatory Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, let us commit to memory and practice this rule: If I’m judging someone, I’m not loving them. One can’t judge someone and love them at the same time.
May we flee the pride and judgement of the Pharisee and emulate the humility of the publican, so that we are justified in the eyes of God. Amen!
*translated from Russian
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