A reading from the gospel according to Luke 18:9-14:

9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: Self-righteousness

What is wrong with the Pharisee is self-righteousness. He doesn’t even thank God for his blessings and he does not ask forgiveness for his sins because he thinks he did not commit any. What is more distasteful is his comparison of himself to others. He lifts his own chair while looking down at others.

On the other hand, there is the tax collector who acknowledged his sinfulness and asked God for mercy. This is the kind of attitude that pleased Jesus and promised to exalt this man rather than the Pharisee.

We hear some people who say they need not go to church because they thought they followed the commandments and therefore they have not sinned. The scripture says “for all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Let us write this verse in big letters and paste it on our exit door or in front of our bed to always remind us of this truth especially whenever we are tempted to arrogate ourselves as righteous.

When we pray, let us always seek forgiveness for our sins especially the sins of the heart such as pride, arrogance, jealousy and greed. Moreover, as we pray, let us never forget to thank God for His amazing grace and boundless mercy.

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In order to be successful in a competitive world, you need to project your strength particularly your achievements. More often than not, you need to always show the best part of you and never admit your faults or weaknesses if you want to impress other people. In the process, you make a lot of cover-ups and many people for sure will applaud you.

Not so in the spiritual realm. There is no room for pride and arrogance in our relationship with God. On the other hand, humility is very important. In the gospel reading above, Jesus gives a special attention to the tax collector whom He said was justified because of his humility. In the last verse, He emphasized that He who humbles himself shall be exalted.

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says “…learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…”. In other words, He is telling us to be humble like Him.

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In the gospel reading above, Jesus shares a powerful story about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee, known for his strict adherence to religious laws, prays with pride, thanking God he’s better than sinners. In contrast, the tax collector, considered an outcast, stands at a distance, filled with humility. He simply says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Surprisingly, Jesus reveals that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, goes home “justified” or forgiven. This challenges the idea that religious acts alone please God. True faith involves humility, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God’s mercy.

We can all fall into the trap of the Pharisee, focusing on our good deeds or comparing ourselves to others. Jesus, however, offers a different path through the example of the tax collector. In prayer, let’s focus on God’s character, praising His greatness and thanking Him for His blessings. Additionally, let’s acknowledge our own need for forgiveness. We all make mistakes, so let’s pray for God’s mercy and grace to transform us. By prioritizing humility and God’s grace in our prayers and actions, we reflect our true dependence on Him who loves us unconditionally.