Muhammad Ali was a famous boxer in the ’60s and ’70s. He gained fame at a young age. He was 18 when he won a gold medal in the lightweight division in the 1960 Olympics. After that, he became a professional boxer. And when he won the world heavyweight championship, he declared, “I am the greatest.” 

In total, he won 56 professional boxing bouts in his career. He believed so much in himself while taunting his opponents.

Ali reminds me of the Pharisee in today’s Gospel who is full of pride and boasts of what he has done. This Pharisee felt he was superior over others and looked down on the tax collector. 

But greatness is not what it appears to be. See how the young, inexperienced David defeated the giant with just a slingshot? Or how Judith, a Jewish widow, beheaded Holofernes, the Assyrian general (Judith 13)? Because “the race is not won by the swift, nor the battle by the valiant” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). What’s important is that we rely on God’s power and wisdom, not on our own strength. 

Reng Morelos (norinamorelos@gmail.com)

reflect

When you come before the Lord, are you like the boastful Pharisee or the remorseful tax collector?

Lord, make me meek and humble of heart. Give me a compassionate heart like Yours that I may not judge others.

St. Ludolf of Ratzeburg, pray for us.

Hosea clearly describes the misery caused by sin. But why do we ever allow sin to make us miserable? God has given us victory over sin; we all know that He desires the best for us. Why then do we allow temptation to win the battle of our mind? Why do we doubt God’s will for us? We are obviously our own worst enemies. Work that one out if you can.

¹ “Come, let us return to the Lord, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. ² He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. ³ Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” ⁴ What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. ⁵ For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; ⁶ For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21

R: It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

³ Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. ⁴ Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) ¹⁸ For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. ¹⁹ My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R) ²⁰ Be bountiful, O Lord, to Zion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; ²¹ then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts. (R)

Gospel | Luke 18:9-14

Arrogance in prayer is never going to do us any good. Humility and honesty are the quickest way to God’s heart. We have heard this time and time again, but it seems that we need to hear it one more time as it has not fully sunk in. Otherwise, we would be saints by now. Let us aim for sainthood. Why? Because if we fail, maybe we can still make it to becoming a “blessed,” next down on the rank of beatitude.

Gospel Acclamation

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read EXODUS 7 - 9 today.

From the moment Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio assumed the name “Francis,” the world has witnessed a pope for whom the virtue of humility is central. From his choice of motto, “Miserando atque eligendo,” which means lowly but chosen (literally in Latin, “by having mercy, by choosing him”), to his outward gestures of casting away formality and clericalism, Pope Francis has truly been faithful to his Master who lived and died poor, chaste, and obedient. He constantly teaches us that humility is the only way that leads us to God.

In the Gospel, the Pharisee prays to himself and always refers to himself. Worse, he looks down at the tax collector and assumes the role of a judge. In contrast, the tax collector admits that he is a sinner and asks God to give him what He “owes” him: mercy and forgiveness. 

At the end of the story, God justifies the tax collector. The Pharisee needs nothing from God; he asks for nothing, hence, he receives nothing. Saint Augustine said, “It is pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that made men into angels.” Humility is the foundation of faith. Everything is grace or gift. It is God who works in us, with His will and its eventual fruition (cf. Philippians 2:13). 

Real prayer can only become fruitful when we stand naked before God, amazed by His love (Magnificat) and contrite because of our sins and failings (Miserere). We cannot boast of anything. Only our sins belong to us. 

Fr. Paolo Asprer, SSP

reflection question

How can humility be made more manifest in your life?

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, let my heart always imitate Your humility. From the desire of being always extolled, honored, and praised, deliver me. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________