Choose HUMILITY
Listening to the Spirit
Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word
so that all your people may know and love You more
and understand You better.
As I go about my day may I not forget
the scriptures you have opened up for me.
Help me to recognize how You want for me
to apply Your Word to my daily life.
Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word,
may You enlighten my mind
and enkindle in my heart
a greater love for You and for others
in my family and in the world.
Amen.
Listening to the Word
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee 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 every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection
Happy World Mission Sunday. The Gospel narrates that the Pharisee goes to the temple and recites a litany of his good deeds to God. While praying, he despised the tax collector. On the other hand, the tax collector is actually reconciling with God. “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
What should be the lessons we can learn from these two believers of God and try to live them up in our Christian lives?
First, let us admit our mistakes or sinfulness. Like the tax collector, when we commit a mistake, let us not be afraid to admit it. Admitting a mistake is the first step to a speedy solution. Denying it or trying to blame someone else does not help us.
The second is to choose humility over pride. Pride is an attitude that causes us to credit ourselves, like the Pharisee, for our accomplishments and blame others for our failures. On the other hand, humility is an attitude that views both our accomplishments and seeming failures from God’s perspective.
The third is to choose God above all else. God is the right choice. If we depend on God and his mercy, like the tax collector, we live a life of humility. We understand that our knowledge, strength, wealth, and everything we have come from God. When we trust God, we experience peace and cultivate a thankful heart.
Fourth, let us be prayerful. The two characters in the Gospel were praying, despite whose prayer was worthied. Prayer is communication and connection. Prayer is deepening our relationship with God and, at the same time, humbling ourselves to count on God alone.
To be humble or to be proud is always a choice for us. Choose humility because it yields more results.
Gospel Reflections
Allowing Jesus to Change Us
Who Is Jesus for Me? From Encounter to Mission
