I love pie. I’m not sure who gets the credit for that. Growing up in a diabetic household, pie was not a staple on our table. But honestly, I think that it was really less about the diabetes, and more that my mother was not a strong baker. Oh she could cook alright, but pies were not her forte. However, the same cannot be said about my Aunts. They could bake pies! And bake they did, for every Thanksgiving Dinner at our farm. While my mom and sister would dutifully put together the traditional Pumpkin and Pecan, my Aunts would bring in all the rest . . . Apple, Cherry, Blueberry, Rhubarb, and even Mince Meat. It was truly a smorgasbord for the senses. Every year, just as soon as the main course was finished, I would push myself up from the table and accompany my Grandfather to the living room where the pies were laid out on in all their glory. He would start at one end, taking a little slice of each pie. And every year he would ask me the same question, “Do you know what my favorite pie is?” “No” I would sheepishly reply. He would smile his grandfatherly smile and say, “Warm. I love warm pie!”

In our parable this week (Luke 18:9-14), is appears that Jesus is inviting the Pharisee to eat a little bit of Humble Pie. Now, I’m not completely certain what Humble Pie is (beside’s a UK Rock Band) but I think we could all agree that it probably does not taste very good, even warm.  But as with all our parables, we have to wonder, is more going on here? Come join us this Sunday as we explore the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. See you Sunday!