The Pharisee in the gospel story thought that if he said his prayers, gave his regular donation, and followed the fasting laws, he would be right with God. Pray, pay, and obey, as some in the church once put it.

Does anybody know what we celebrate this week? By “we” I mean Americans of every faith tradition, not just Catholics. It’s Pastoral Care Week!

He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’

Among the themes explored in the movie The 33, based on the ordeal of the 33 Chilean miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground for 69 days after a mine collapse, are forgiveness and humility. 

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.