GOD SUPPORTS "NO KING" MARCHES!

Prof./Evangel. Michael Howard, MACS

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector" (Lk. 18:9-14)

People opposing the current regime in the United (Snakes) States have taken to the streets nationwide in the past three months. Last Saturday, over seven million people protested without one single violent incident reported. Many individuals have amplified their voices in protest against our country's leader, who has not served the American people with justice. The ruler we have today has not adhered to the principles of the God of Justice.

The Book of Sirach, in our first reading, portrays the God of Justice as attentive to "the cry of the oppressed, ... the wail of the orphan, [and] the widow when she pours out her complaint" (Sir. 35:15-17). Time and again, the person in the White House has failed to humble himself and show compassion for the people he leads. He continues to disparage God's finest creation with derogatory remarks. His dismissive rhetoric and policies favor only the wealthy and famous, leaving many to wonder if their next paycheck will be their last. We urgently need a leader in the White House who understands the words of our responsorial today: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them...The LORD is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps. 34:7, 19).

For this reason, the Prophet Ezekiel prophesied, "What has entered your mind shall never happen: You are thinking, 'We shall be like the nations, like the peoples of foreign lands, serving wood and stone. As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—with mighty hand and outstretched arm, with wrath poured out, I swear I will be king over you" (Ez. 20:32-33). As you can see, even in biblical times, people wanted a king who looked like wood and stone. God did not support Israel having a king (1 Samuel 8), then, and even now. God wants to be King over creation forever.

Therefore, God supports "No king March!" The God who created the heavens and the earth seeks justice for all creation. God wants someone to "proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord" (Lk. 4:18-19).

God calls us to humble ourselves and follow the King of Kings. In today's gospel reading, Jesus illustrates what it means to be humble. In our Gospel passage, the Pharisee fails to recognize the folly of his actions. Consider his prayer, "O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes on my whole income" (Lk. 18:11-12). Does this sound familiar? A Pharisee, a religious leader, once more, someone who makes disparaging remarks to elevate themselves above others. It is hypocritical to label someone when you yourself act greedily, dishonestly, and are guilty of adulterous behavior.

Thus, we should emulate the tax collector who chose not to boast. Instead, he prayed with humility, seeking God's mercy. Jesus concludes this parable by teaching, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Lk. 18:14)

God endorses the "No king March." Humble yourself and place your trust in the King of Kings, as there will come a day when every knee will bow and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is King.

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