Sunday, Oct. 26, is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14.

In the Gospel, the Lord speaks to us of two men who go to the temple to pray. One man commits the greatest sin of all, pride, and leaves unjustified. The other, though a great sinner, receives the gift of justification through humility. Let’s look at what the Lord teaches us.

Jesus is addressing this parable to those who are “convinced of their own righteousness.” On our own we are not holy enough to enter heaven or to save ourselves. 

Also notice that the Pharisee is glad to report that he is not like the rest of humanity. Not only is his remark foolish, it is also impertinent. One will not get to heaven merely by being a little better than someone else. The standard we must meet is Jesus. He is the standard. Any honest comparison of ourselves to Jesus should make us fall to our knees and cry out for grace and mercy, because it is the only way we stand a chance.

“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.’” 

Notice that the tax collector did three things; we should do these things as well:

He realizes that he is a long way from the goal. He knows how holy God is and how distant he himself is. Let’s be clear: the image of a tax collector is shocking. Such men did not get their posts by being “nice guys.” But his recognition of his distance is already a grace and a mercy. 

We are not ready to look on the face of God in all its glory. This tax collector recognizes his inability to look on the face of God, for his heart is not yet pure enough. 

Notice that the tax collector’s humility is steeped in hope. He cannot save himself, but God can. This tax collector summons those twins called grace and mercy. In this man’s humility, a grace given him by God, he stands a chance. 

Beware of pride, our worst enemy. Beg for the gift of humility, for only with it do we even stand a chance. Pray before the Lord with a great sense of neediness. God hears the humble.