Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

I would like to offer my thoughts on humility when reading Luke 18:9-14. It seems to me that the emphasis is on one’s attitude in prayer.

In Luke’s Gospel reading today, Jesus told his followers parables, speaking to those who thought they were better than others and were convinced of their own holiness. I think the lesson that Jesus is teaching us on humility probably hits closer to home than any of us would ever want to admit.

In Jesus’ story, the Pharisee went into the temple and bragged about himself, telling God all the things he did that were good and holy. He thanked God that he was holier than the tax collector.

Let’s just say that the Pharisee was a bit arrogant in his prayer. He was in a holy place, a place to encounter God, but it seems he was not approaching God so much as he was listing his good qualities. He seemed to miss the connection with God, so it makes me wonder how often we have sat in church to pray and have totally forgotten why we are here! Are we missing the connection that God so desires for us?

Then we have the tax collector, despised by the Pharisees because they were allied with the Roman rulers—they were working with the enemy. But the tax collector was humble. He thought so much about his shortcomings as a sinner, almost begging for mercy.

Jesus taught his followers that it was the tax collector who prayed correctly! This was shocking to those who were listening, but Jesus was making a point: God wants us to be humble. When we think we are better than others, we’re judging them, and that is not our place.

Our heavenly Father wants us to think of the needs of others before ourselves. God knows we are not perfect and forgives us when we make mistakes. Let me say that the purpose of this parable is NOT to discourage religious and pious practice (we should do all that); rather, its function is to remind us to do it with humility.

Let us recall the two greatest commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

I suspect that many of you are already doing this without even being aware of it. Young parents, you always put your children first—that is humility, thinking less of yourself.

Older parents and grandparents, how you always have your adult children and grandchildren in your prayers—true humility.

How about any of you who have had to give up work or other activities to care for elderly parents? Thinking less of yourself.

This humility then becomes a great temperament during the presentation of the gifts when everyone presents, with Christ, his sufferings, joys, and work. Then our offerings help us to grow in sacrificial love as we move towards humility while thinking of ourselves less.

This then becomes a great way to approach the table of the Lord to receive the Eucharist—the body, soul, and divinity of our Lord.

Acting in humility, thinking of ourselves less when we pray as the tax collector, who would be upset at the end of our time on earth to hear Jesus proclaim, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Blessings,

Denise Quackenbush

Adult Faith Formation & Rites Coordinator

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusts.” – Psalm 28:7