St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

We are all needy people. No matter how well we are, how healthy we are, or how satisfied we are with our lives, we are all in need of God’s saving mercy. If we look at ourselves honestly, we see that we are far from perfect, that we are in fact sinful and always in need of forgiveness. May we, like the tax collector in today’s Gospel, be aware of our neediness so that no matter our situation in life we too may humbly pray, “O, God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

By all signs, the Pharisee is a laudable person. He fasts, he gives alms, he visits the temple and prays. In other words, he practices the three traditional works of the faith. But his self-righteous attitude puts him in the wrong relationship with God. He doesn't thank God for the grace to be a good person, but disdains people who sin. He seems to be patting himself on the back more than thanking God with sincere gratitude. We forget that we are flawed creatures in need of forgiveness and mercy.

In general, tax collectors at this time were regarded as collaborators and thieves. They collected taxes imposed by the Roman government and generally padded their income by exploiting more than what their neighbors really owed. But at least the tax collector in the parable is self-aware. He recognizes his sinfulness. He trusts that God’s mercy is stronger than his sin. We are not told what he did once he returned home. Perhaps he stopped extorting his fellow citizens. Perhaps he paid back his ill-gotten gains. Perhaps he resigned his position. But Jesus tells us that just by virtue of his simple honest plea to God, he became justified and would be exalted.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

November 1st is the Solemnity of All Saints. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year because it falls on Saturday. We will offer the opportunity for Mass at 10:00 AM for those who wish to celebrate that feast at the our Memorial Mass for the dead. The weekend Masses will commemorate All Souls Day, praying for the Faithful Departed