This week's readings Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001 Reading I: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18 Reading II: 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18 Gospel: Lk 18:9-14 Monday, Oct. 29, 2001 Reading I: Rom 8, 12-17 Gospel: Lk 13, 10-17 Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001 Reading I: Rom 8, 18-25 Gospel: Lk 13, 8-21 Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 Reading I: Rom 8, 26-30 Gospel: Lk 13, 22-30 Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001 Reading I: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14 Reading II: 1 Jn 3:1-3 Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 Reading I: Is 25:6-9 Reading II: Rom 6:3-9 Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001 Reading I: Rom 11, 1-2. 11-12. 25-29 Gospel: Lk 14, 1. 7-11 Pope's Prayer Intentions October General Intention Appreciation for the riches every culture and religion contribute to the common good. The wisdom to appreciate the cultural and spiritual riches contributed by the different ethnic groups and religious minorities in every land. October Mission Intention A Pentecost-like missionary renewal in this third Christian millennium. Renewal of the missionary fire of the first Pentecost at this dawn of the third Christian millennium.

Humble prayer of a sinner:

'O God, be merciful to me'

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

In the classic movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," the gypsy girl Esmerelda takes refuge in the cathedral of Notre Dame, protected from the crowd by Quasimodo, the famed hunchback who is deaf from his job as bell-ringer.

Readings for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct. 28) Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 Psalm 34 2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

Early in the story, Esmerelda sees a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church and asks about it. She is told that this is the Mother of God, and that we pray to Mary to intercede for us with her son. A touching scene ensues.

Esmerelda begins to pray in her own words, kneeling before the statue of Mary and beseeching her for protection for her people, the gypsies. Interspersed with the words of her prayer are images of others who are in church, also praying. They are asking for riches, for long life, for wealthy husbands, for many possessions -- you get the picture.

In the midst of that cacophany, Esmerelda prays, "I ask nothing for myself, only for my people." She asks for no riches or possessions, no wealth or social standing. Only for protection and freedom for her people. She, barely Christian or not Christian at all, prays as Christians ought to pray.

The familiar Gospel story of the Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer in the temple area sounds a similar chord. "Thank God I am not like the rest of humanity," prays the proud Pharisee. Reciting his virtues, he despises others and exalts himself.

But the tax collector prays humbly for forgiveness. "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." This is where our prayer should begin, with recognition of our sinfulness and our reliance on God for forgiveness and mercy.

The Book of Sirach reminds us that God hears the cry of the oppressed, the wail of the orphan, the widow pouring out her complaint. God hears those who serve him. The lowly one's prayer "pierces the clouds." The Lord will not delay, we are told, in responding to the prayers of those who recognize that they need him.

"The Lord hears the cry of the poor," we sing in the psalms. Close to the brokenhearted, to those who are crushed in spirit. Such was the character Esmerelda, who prayed not for herself but for the needs of her people. Such is the tax collector who humbly prayed for God's mercy, realizing his own sinfulness and need for forgiveness.

Such are we called to be who answer Christ's call to repentance and life as God's holy people.

Saint Paul writes to Timothy of his own difficulties, which he realizes will soon come to an end. "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength," he knows. Through his life and mission to the Gentiles, Paul's prayer included "being poured out like a libation," being emptied by Christ of all that is not Christ-like.

"The one who humbles himself" -- recognizing his own sinfulness and calling on the Lord for mercy -- "will be exalted." Those are comforting words, so that we may offer up only the humble prayer of a sinner, letting God shower his mercy upon us and call us to become his saints.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.