It's not normal to hear people talking out loud to themselves. In fact, when we hear this from people, we may rightly conclude they are dealing with some sort of mental disorder, a separation from reality, a delusion or fantasy world they have entered. Yet, how often we do this with ourselves! It's just as crazy to talk to ourselves whether we do so while walking around, driving, at dinner, or during our prayer time. Sometimes our monologue with ourselves puffs us up with pride, and at other times it drives us down in despair. The truth remains that it's crazy to talk to ourselves. We require dialogue with reality and truth to enter into communion.
In today's Gospel parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we hear the difference between monologue and dialogue in prayer. Jesus says, "The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself…" As the Pharisee goes on and on talking to himself about himself, it is clear that he is monologuing with his favorite person: himself. God is allotted no room to participate in this time of self-congratulation. I don't doubt that the Pharisee is saying true things about his virtues, but the way he speaks about himself places the glory and honor on himself rather than on the Lord. This monologue has nothing to do with the dialogue and communion brought about by true prayer.
What a breath of fresh air we hear in the tax collector's prayer, the prayer of a sinner who models the true dialogue of prayer for us: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner!" This prayer is a cry of the heart piercing the heavens! While God yawns at the Pharisee's self-conceit, the heart of God is deeply moved by the tax collector's simple prayer for mercy. The tax collector's prayer recognizes who he is (a sinner in need of redemption) and who God is (the Lord who loves and redeems sinners). The Lord and him are dialoguing about the things that matter, the movements of the heart, which the sinner must bring before God, and the openness of God's Sacred Heart to transform the sinner's heart.I want to offer you a simple acronym this week to help you stay in prayerful dialogue and communion throughout the day: ARRR (Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, Respond). This simple guide, also known as the pirate prayer ("ARRR!"), helps us be attentive to those movements of our heart (thoughts, feelings, desires) and to bring them into our prayer with the Lord rather than isolating with them in monologue.
Thank you for your generous support of our “Faithfully United” Program! Several weeks ago, we began this important parish-wide program and we are starting to see signs that our offertory collections are growing through the generosity of YOU, our faithful parish community. Thank you so very much to all who participated. Your generosity shows your willingness as faithful stewards to be a part of the ongoing missions of Saint Patrick Church.
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow