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Since July 7, when the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert spotted a software company’s CEO and chief people officer who were having an affair, the two have become the target of mockery across the country. On social media, people turned the scandalous moment of embarrassment and shame into entertainment. While I found this incident amusing, I also wonder how many of those participating in this mockery are morally blameless.
Writing in Forbes on July 28, Margie Warrell warns readers not to fall into the trap of moral superiority when others are found in their worst moment. While acknowledging that public figures with privilege and power should be held accountable to a higher moral standard, she encourages her readers to “conduct an audit on any infractions of your own integrity, including examining the part of you that needs to judge others.” After all, Jesus taught us that “everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:27).
In this week’s parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee is grateful that he is not like “thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” He also proudly tells God about the good works he does to stay faithful to the law: “I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all my income.” He is a self-sufficiently good and righteous person who does not need God to grant him forgiveness or redemption. The tax collector, however, asks God to forgive him for being a sinner.
In his Luke commentary from the Interpretation series, Fred Craddock warns preachers not to simplify these two characters as villain and hero. If we do, many listeners will go home after worship thinking, “God, I thank thee that I am not like the Pharisee.” After all, we do not know whether the tax collector changes his detestable job after being justified by God. Moreover, Jesus does not refuse the hospitality of Pharisees, who invite him to their houses to dine with them (Luke 7:36 and 14:1). Craddock points out that this parable is instead about God’s vindication—reversing our expectation as to who is more righteous in the eyes of God.
Some years ago, we had a prayer service at a church in New Hampshire where I was serving as pastor. When people were sharing their prayer concerns, a middle-aged woman burst into tears and said, “My husband has left me for a younger woman. This has been going on for three months now. I do not know what to do.” As the mockery continues on TV and social media, we can only imagine the pain this cheating scandal has caused to the families of these individuals. I am also concerned about those, like my former parishioner, who are forced to relive their own memories of shame and brokenness.
In this world, we often witness people mocking others they consider inferior for one reason or another. Filled with our own sense of self-righteousness and disgust, we may pray, God, I am thankful that I am not like these ignorant, stupid, and immoral people, without recognizing the irony. While we may feel morally satisfied or superior, I wonder who or what we think justifies us. Instead of appealing to others, the tax collector turns inward, asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Can we also confess when we were unfaithful to the covenant with God and our neighbors and simply pray, “Lord, help us”?
