"Everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled,
and the one
who humbles himself,
will be exalted."
(Luke 18:14)
God values humility and sincerity over pride and self-importance. Humility and being honest with oneself is of utmost importance in the conduct of our daily living Are we genuinely seeking forgiveness and striving to live better?
Our prayer should be is one of repentance and a genuine heart. Let us humbly acknowledge our sins brought about by pride and self-righteousness and seek mercy from God.
Two men stood in the temple to pray,
Their hearts laid bare in different ways.
One with pride, his deeds proclaimed,
The other in sorrow, bowed and ashamed.
The Pharisee boasted, “I am not like them,
I fast and tithe, I am pure among men.”
His gaze was lofty, his words full of pride,
But his soul with humility, he could not abide.
The tax collector stood at a distance alone,
His sin like a shadow, a weight he'd known.
Beating his chest, he could only plea,
“God, have mercy on a sinner like me.”
The humble heart, God lifts on high,
While prideful boasts will wither and die.
For those who exalt will surely descend,
And the meek will rise to the heavens' end.
Lord Jesus,
You see the depths of our hearts, beyond words and appearances. Help us, Lord, to come before You with humility and honesty, Like the tax collector who sought Your mercy, knowing his need for grace.
Teach us not to exalt ourselves in pride, But to kneel before You, acknowledging our weaknesses. Guard us from self-righteousness, And help us to see others with compassion, not judgment.
Lord, I confess my sins before You. Have mercy on me, a sinner, For I rely on Your unfailing love and forgiveness. Create in me a humble spirit, That I may walk in Your light and share Your love with the world.
Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer. May my heart remain ever turned toward You, Exalted and glorified forever.
Amen.
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR
Luke 18:9-14
Gospel Acclamation
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Gospel | 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 Source:
Conversation with Copilot
