耶穌基督的比喻，必定帶有令人意料之外的部份。這個比喻並沒有令聽眾失望！
本來，祈禱可以在會堂，在十字街頭（瑪6:5-6）。但稅吏是公開罪人，不容於本地的會堂。所以，他選擇前往耶路撒冷，一個沒有人認識他的地方，混在群眾之中祈禱，反而合理。但這個法利塞人不在熟識的群眾面前，反而選擇「上聖殿去祈禱」，的確誇張了一點！這是意料之外其一！
不要以為比喻中的法利塞人，他立著祈禱是驕傲的表現（路18:11），那個稅吏不也是站著的嗎（18:13）？這個沒有犯罪，又懂得感謝天主的法利塞人（18:11），回家後卻成不了正義的（18:14），這纔是意料之外的其二！
一年一次祭獻天主，向祂還願求恩，免不了會向天主「述職」，向天主交待自己守誡命，沒有犯罪，有禁食捐獻，求天主悅納，來年繼續照顧…等。這樣做本來沒有甚麼不妥當，問題出在這個法利塞人，和我們大部份人，包括伯多祿（谷14:29）在內，一樣，踐踏別人來抬舉自己，「我不像其他人…也不像這個稅吏」（路18:11）。人誰無過？稅吏認清自己的不足，沒有逃避自己的罪過，懂得謙卑地求天主寬恕。天主哪有不寬恕呢？因此稅吏回家時已成為正義的！法利塞人雖然懂得感謝天主的恩寵，使他沒有犯罪，並且有能力禁食奉獻；但他無視自己的不足，對自己的罪過避而不談。更有甚者，自大地踐踏他人，的確是罪加一等！難怪他回家時仍然是個不義的人！
首先，要祈禱，犯不著跑到老遠的耶路撒冷聖殿去（路18:10）。到聖殿是為了祭獻，是朝聖的部份行程，是猶太成年人每年的本份。
天父啊！讓我們不但懂得感恩，更讓我們認清自己的不足，懂得謙遜。亞孟。
Humility VI (Luke 18:9-14)
There are always surprise elements in Jesus Christ's parables. This parable does not disappoint the audience!
Indeed, Jews prayed in the synagogues and on street corners (Matthew 6:5-6). But tax collectors were public sinners and were not welcome in synagogues. Therefore, going to Jerusalem where they prayed among strangers was quite a reasonable action. That this Pharisee chose not to pray among peers, but among unknown people in the Temple was a bit exaggerating! This is surprise number one!
Do not think that the Pharisee who stood and prayed was proud (Luke 18:11). Was not the tax collector standing as well (18:13)? That this Pharisee who had not committed any sins and knew to thank God (18:11) went home and failed to be justified (18:14) is surprising!
Offering thanksgiving and supplication sacrifices to God once a year, it is only natural for the Jews to "report" to God during this visit ad limina, that they had kept the commandments, had not committed any sins, had fast and given alms, pleaded God to accept the offer and continue to provide ... etc. This was perfectly alright except that this Pharisee, like most of us, including Peter (Mark 14:29) trampled upon others to elevate himself "I am not like the rest ... or even like this tax collector." (Luke 18:11) Who can be blameless? The tax collector knew his inadequacy. He did not evade his wrongs and humbly begged for God's forgiveness. God surely forgives. Thus the tax collector returned home and was justified. Although the Pharisee was grateful for God's graces, had not committed sins and was able to fast and give alms, he ignored his own inadequacy and evaded to talk about his sins. Worse, he self-righteously trampled on the others. No wonder he failed to be justified when he returned home!
First of all, if a Jew wanted to pray, why took the trouble to go up to the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 18:10)? Jews offered sacrifices at the Temple. It was the duty of an adult Jew to go pilgrimage to Jerusalem annually to offer sacrifice.
Heavenly Father! Let us not only be grateful but also be able to see clearly our inadequacies and be humble. Amen.
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