Today’s scripture readings are all about the necessity for us to live our lives with humility and trust in God.
In the Old Testament reading (Sirach 35:12-18) we hear that God, in his mercy and justice, will always respond to the needs of his humble servants. In Paul’s letter to Timothy (2 Tim: 4:6-18) Paul humbly proclaims that it was God who gave him the strength he needed to persevere with faith. Paul’s confident trust in God gives him assurance that there is a place awaiting him in heaven.
In the Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) we listen to Jesus as he instructs us by way of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. The message is clear – we must embrace the virtue of humility and allow it to guide our lives and our relationships. In our relationships with each other we strive to discard all self-centeredness and self-righteousness and allow tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion to rule the day. In our relationship with God we strive to discard feelings of self-reliance and control and acknowledge our utter dependence on God and affirm our confidence in his plan for us. And as we serve God and each other with this humble and trusting spirit, we more and more come to realize that all the good in our lives – and all the goodness we share with others – springs from God and his love for us.