The readings for the 30th Sunday in ordinary time, year C invite us to reflect on the nature of prayer, humility and God’s justice. They call us to examine our hearts and the attitudes we are meant to cultivate in our relationship with Him and with one another, in todays first reading from the book of Sirach, we are reminded that God hears the cry of the oppressed and does not overlook the prayers of those who are humble. It reminds us that God is not swayed by external appearances or social status rather He hears the cries of the oppressed and the Humble. Sirach emphasizes that every prayer can reach God, regardless of who we are. Even the petitions of the poor or downtrodden find their way to Him. for He is a God who cares for the marginalized. and in the second reading in his letter to Timothy, encourages us to remain steadfast in faith as he reflects on his own life’s journey. His closing words highlights a sense of peace and hope, confident that God will deliver him from every evil attack and bring him safety to his heavenly kingdom. This assurance comes not from a spirit pride, but from a deep, abiding humility and reliance on God’s grace.
The gospel of today tells the story of two men who went to the temple to pray: a pharisee and a tax collector. Jesus uses this parable to teach a profound lesson about humility, the dangers of self-righteousness, and the transformative power of God’s mercy. The Pharisee stands by himself, proudly proclaiming his virtues. He fasts, gives tithes, and compares himself to others, particularly the tax collector. His prayer is not one of true worship, but a declaration of his own goodness. He believes that his religious observance and good deeds put his in a higher standing before God. He even seems to use his prayer as an opportunity to boast. But Jesus doesn’t paint a flattering picture of the Pharisee. While his action might seem righteous, his heart is full of pride and self-sufficiency. He forgets that God desires humility, Not self-exaltation. The Pharisees attitude is a reminder for us not to become too comfortable in our own sense of righteousness. It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring ourselves against others, but true holiness comes from recognizing that we are all in need of God’s grace.
In stark contrast to the Pharisee, the tax collector stands at a distance, unwilling even to look up to heaven. He beats his chest in sorrow and prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” His prayer is simple, honest, and filled with genuine repentance. Unlike the Pharisees, the tax collector does not rely on his own merit or deeds. He acknowledges his unworthiness and appeals to God’s mercy. The tax collector’s prayer is an example of true humility. He knows that he is far from perfect and does not hide behind any self-justification. This is the key to understand Jesus’ message: humility is not about degrading ourselves, but recognizing our need for God’s grace. The tax collector is the one who is justified, not because of his action, but because of his humility before God.
Jesus concludes the parable with a powerful message: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” The parable teaches us that God looks at the heart. It is not enough to follow the rules or perform good deeds. What matters is the posture of our heart before God. Humility does not mean denying our gifts or achievements, but recognizing that every good thing comes from God. It is in the recognition of our weakness and need for God’s mercy that we truly encounter the grace of God. As we reflect on this parable, we are called to examine our own hearts. Do we come before God with pride, thinking that our own efforts will earn us favor? Or do we come with humility, aware of our need for forgiveness and grace? This parable invites us to examine how we relate to others. It is so easy to judge others, just like the Pharisee, comparing ourselves to those we deem “worse” or “less deserving”. But Jesus calls us to deeper humility, one that sees others as fellow children of God, all in need of mercy.
The lesson of this parable is clear: true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility, not in self -righteousness. As we seek to live out our faith, let us remember that God desires a humble and contrite heart. Let us come to Him, like the tax collector, and say “God merciful to me is a sinner.” In doing so, we will find that we are not only justified before God, but also transformed by His boundless mercy. This passage is a call to continually cultivate humility in our own lives. It’s an invitation to step away from comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on how we can grow closer to God in love and dependence on His grace. Amen