A Modern Day Parable

^{Jesus began his parable thus:  Two people went up to the temple area to pray…”}

^{So, you know this parable – you’ve heard it many times – Luke says Jesus told the people about some who trusted in themselves, who believed that they were righteous, and they treated others with contempt.}

^{This time around,  I will leave you simply to contemplate an adaptation of an ages-old story – a modern-day parable.}

^{It goes like this ….   Three women religious – we’ll call them Sisters, but not siblings, you understand?   Well, these three Sisters were praying in their monastery chapel.  Two were on their knees; one sat (the picture of exhaustion).} 

^{After a short time, one Sister felt herself rising out of her body.  She felt ever so holy.   As she moved closer to heaven, she could see the other Sisters (poor sinners – God have mercy).  She prayed for them, those poor souls!} 

^{A second Sister was ecstatic – she was caught up in a trance – she felt a vision coming  on –  she began to hear heavenly voices of the angel choirs singing HER praises.} 

^{The remaining Sister was filled with distractions ….  She wasn’t aware if the others were sitting, standing, kneeling or bowing.  Thoughts flitted everywhere!  She’d never finished that memo – oh, and she’d forgotten to return that phone call. Her thoughts took off in another direction.  How long it had been since she’d had a good cup coffee.  Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a Dairy Queen blizzard!  Or even a McDonald’s burger – or a Sonic shake.  Oops, missed it again – that’s our side of the chapel praying – better tune in.}

^{Later that night the devil’s assistant was reporting on the day’s activity.  “Well,” the little apprentice devil said, “It was really quite interesting. I was working on three of those nuns at Holy Name in St Leo.   They all looked quite pious at their Evening Prayer Service.  But, I suppose I failed at the job you gave me.  I was successful in tempting only two of them!”}

Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

First Reading – Sirach 35:12-14, 1618 * Second Rading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 * Gospel – Luke 18: 9-14