WC 27/10 HUMILITY

We take this theme from the Gospel reading of the

30th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

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GATHER

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When you succeed, is your first thought to celebrate yourself or to thank the people who helped you get there?

What's the difference between having confidence in your abilities and being arrogant?

When you look at someone else, do you tend to focus more on their good qualities, or their mistakes?

WORD

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Glory to you O Lord.

At that time: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

‘Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE

In this passage, Jesus tells a powerful parable about two very different men who go to the Temple to pray.

The first man is a Pharisee. In that society, Pharisees were seen as the most religious and morally upright people. He stands up tall and prays aloud about himself:

“God, I thank you that I am not like other men,

extortioners, unjust, adulterers,

or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week;

I give tithes of all that I get.”

His prayer is a list of his own accomplishments, a public declaration of how much better he is than everyone else, especially the man standing near him. His pride is so loud that it drowns out any chance of hearing God.

The second man is a Tax Collector. He was considered a public sinner and a traitor because he collected money for the Roman government. He stands far off, unable to even lift his eyes to heaven. He simply beats his breast and prays a short, honest prayer:

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

The final line of this parable holds the central message. Jesus reveals that the Tax Collector was spiritually closer to God, even though he stood physically far away. Why? Because the Tax Collector showed humility, which isn't about hating yourself or thinking you’re worthless. Humility is simply living in truth. It is seeing yourself honestly: recognising your strengths as gifts from God, and your faults as things you need help with. The Tax Collector knew his need for mercy, and because he asked for it, he received it.

The Pharisee was blocked by his pride. Pride is a spiritual shield that keeps God out because it convinces us we don't need Him. It causes us judge others to make ourselves feel better.

Jesus is teaching us that if we want to grow, we must drop that shield. We must stop comparing our strengths to others' weaknesses. Instead, we are called to look at ourselves honestly and say, "I too need God's grace." That simple, honest posture is the path to being "exalted" in God's eyes, because it opens our hearts to receive His love and mercy.

How does Jesus’ message challenge or comfort you?

MISSION

The next time you are tempted to judge or gossip about somebody, stop. Instead, immediately pray the Tax Collector’s prayer silently for yourself:

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

This action shifts your focus from judging others to seeking God’s grace for yourself.

And if you don't think you need to, perhaps you should pray it now?

COLLECT

Let us pray…

Almighty ever-living God,

increase our faith, hope and charity,

and make us love what you command,

so that we may merit what you promise.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.