- Luke 18:9-14
How often do we act like the Pharisee in this parable - looking down on those around us and grateful that we are not like them? Sometimes it seems like this is our default position. We look at those around us and silently think how much better we must be than them. As humans, we have a remarkable ability to look at everyone else's lives and identify all of the problems, faults and failings they have. It is far too easy to examine other's lives and turn a blind eye to our own.
This is the issue that Jesus is addressing in this Sunday's Gospel. We are called to be more like the tax collector, who stood humbly before God and acknowledged his sinfulness. It really is ironic that it is through humility that God raises us up to become the best version of ourselves. This runs counter to where we are as a culture and society. In today's culture, we are told that you must be confident and self-assured in everything we do. We should never admit our faults or weaknesses as these would be used against us. As the saying goes, "It's a dog-eat-dog world and only the strong survive."
But as Christians, we are called to a different path. We are called to accept our failings and allow God to use them to create better versions of ourselves. It truly is a mystery how that can happen but we have seen it time and again throughout the history of the Church. The stories of the saints are filled with individuals who, from a modern perspective, had everything going for them. They were wealthy, successful, powerful people, and yet there was a longing and unhappiness deep inside. It was only when they acknowledged their sinful nature and turned to God with true and honest prayer, that they achieved true happiness.
The same is true for us today. This is the power we experience in the sacrament of Reconciliation. We are able to humbly submit ourselves to God, confess our sins, failings and weaknesses and ask Him to strengthen us with His grace. By doing this, we are able to grow in our Faith and become closer to the person God created us to be. If you do this, you will be amazed at the wonders God will work in your life.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved… Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others… Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised… Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged … Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected … Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I ... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I … Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease … Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside … Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed … Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything… Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.