Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.

October 27 Ordinary 30

Set in its original context, the first hearers of this story would have expected the Pharisee, not the tax-collector, to be held up as a role model. Here the Pharisee and the represent two different responses to Jesus: those who relied on their own righteousness and have hardened their hearts to Jesus and those who recognise their own shortcomings and sinfulness and come seeking forgiveness and help to change their ways. Today we find the Pharisee’s self-righteousness irritating, but in his day, he would have been honoured for his piety. His extra fasting and his tithing would have placed him as a devout man and his attendance at prayer would have been regarded as an outward sign of his undoubted inner spirituality. In stark contrast, the tax-collector is seen as unworthy and would have been vilified for his work and collaboration with the Romans. Yet in his prayerful attitude and contrite words, in acknowledging his own failings, he is held up as an example of reliance upon God’s mercy. God’s mercy is part of the Divine Nature which reaches out to all who acknowledge their need and then seeks to heal that broken relationship.

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Lectionary Material for every Sunday in Years A, B, C

Each morning and each evening
let the peace of the Father, be ours.
Each day and each night
let the peace of the Son be ours.
Each dawn and each dusk
let the peace of the Spirit be ours.
Let the blessing of the three in one be ours;
both now and for ever. Amen.
Carmina Gadelica