The Disposition of the Heart

by Dcn Bob Evans  |  10/23/2025  |  Pastor's Letter

In this weekend's Gospel, we encounter the parable about the Pharisee and Tax Collector who were at a Temple prayer service [cf. Luke 18:9-14]. At first, this parable sounds like the lesson was intended for the Pharisees who had confronted Jesus in Bethany, near the home of Lazarus and his sisters, only days before His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But close attention to the parable shows us that the lesson was actually intended for Jesus's disciples, including us.

The key line in the story Jesus told was the tax collector's words: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner" [Luke 18:13b]. Jesus' disciples would recognize the tax collector as expressing the essence of Psalm 51:3. Jews did not attempt to recite their Scriptures verbatim; rather they sought out the essence of each passage. For a Jew to ask God's mercy was more than a request for forgiveness or compassion. Because their word for mercy was hesed, which literally meant to 'hold close to the heart.' The tax collector was begging God to hold him close to His heart for he had no merit of his own to commend him as being righteous.

With that, the Temple prayer service was concluded, a lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of those present, the people had prayed, and the officiating priest had given them the benediction blessing. The tax collector went home justified; the Pharisee did not [cf. Luke 18:14a]. We are left with the question: "Why?"

To Jews of those times, both men had fulfilled the requirements of the law by attending the Temple prayer service when in Jerusalem. In their understanding, they were both "entitled" to be justified (that is, to be in right balance with God).

But Jesus' lesson in the parable was that the Temple prayer service itself did not make a participant justified; it was the disposition of the heart that made one justified. Their communal prayer rites were an integral part of their communion with God, just as Sunday Mass is an integral part our communion with God. But for those rites to be fully effective the participants have to be properly disposed. This principle applies in the Church to this day.

Our sacraments, including the Eucharist, are said to be "efficacious," that is: they are successful in producing their intended result in us independent of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them. [cf. article 1128 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church]. So, just showing up for Mass and communion does not make us justified in the eyes of God. It is the disposition of our hearts that brings us into right balance with God.

Let's consider for a moment the importance of Jesus' lesson in this parable. The lives of the Pharisees would go on as they had for generations, but within days, the lives of Jesus' disciples would change profoundly; the most important of our sacraments would be instituted, Jesus would suffer and die and be raised from the dead. And, His disciples would be left to carry on Jesus' mission, conveying the message in this parable to the multitude of disciples to follow. What does this mean for us? In our times and busy lives, it's easy for us to be caught up in the routine of things and lose sight of what brings us to the foot of the altar. Then, what is the disposition of our hearts?