The transformative power of humility to admit our failings: don’t compare, don’t condemn: just be kind, help others
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 26, 2025
Today’s readings confront us with the sharp difference between arrogant pride and humility. It is easy to side with the humble tax collector. And yet, it is strange to take the side of a sinner and reject the so-called righteous man.
The easy take on today’s readings is to learn to be humble: admit our mistakes. But a much deeper and comforting message is given here: God prefers an honest sinner to a boastful “good person”. When Jesus came into the world, as St Paul reminds us, we were still sinners. And we come close to God through our humility, not when we are perfect.
This should encourage us to move beyond our failings and “sins”, to not let our shame depress us, but to let our shame humble us, like the tax collector. Admit our sin and try to do better.
At the start of every Mass, we all have a moment to tell God we are sorry for being a sinner. But, now, do we really think about our sins, or just wait to say the prayer? Do we really believe it? Am I a sinner?
It’s an easy question, but not a comfortable question! If we are not attentive to the prayer then, perhaps, we are just a silent version of the Pharisee. It is an important moment in Mass: not to scare God away because I’m bad, but to humble ourselves and feel God come close to us.
This is why the Sacrament of Reconciliation is so important for us: a moment of grace where we, too, enter into the sanctuary of the Temple and humbly declare: have mercy on me Lord for I am a sinner: and immediately the grace of forgiveness follows with the prayer of absolution.
You might be confused by the apparent contradiction between the Gospel and the Second Reading where St Paul seems to be boasting about how he has been faithful and “all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me”. He continues elaborating how difficult life has been, but he persevered and God came to his assistance. Is he boasting?
Yes and No. The context is a private letter to Timothy. St Paul recounts his achievements and difficulties is in order to encourage Timothy to also persevere and know that God is with him.
In contrast, the Pharisee is praising himself out loud in public, and all the things he says are of benefit to himself, and not much help to the community he lives in. The Law is the minimum of behaviour expected from each citizen, and certainly each Christian is called to do more.
The Pharisee is boasting as though his faithfulness to the Law is maximum behaviour. As Christians we are saved/ redeemed/ lifted up by the Grace of God, not by minimal behaviour.
And the Grace of God touches us when we go beyond the Law, to show love for others in our concrete actions: especially when we help people who do not respect or help us, such as St Paul and the rejections he often encountered: just as parents have to persevere with unruly teenagers.
Today’s readings minimally remind us to be humble, for most of us are sinners (you can decide if you are one of the “most of us” or a perfect exception!). Ha, ha. But, much deeper, we are gently invited by God: do not be afraid of your sin, just be honest, and help others.
Isn’t it true, that in family life, the cheeky, naughty, helpful child often brings more joy to everyone, than the quiet perfect child who never makes a mistake?
What was the Pharisee’s REAL intention doing all the things he boasted about? What’s our intention when we do our religious duties? The First Reading reminds us that God does not look at our status in life =how important we are the eyes of others.
When judging our actions, God always looks at our “intention”. For example, a mother steals money from her husband’s pocket while he’s drunk, so she can take the child to hospital/school.
Are we trying to keep God happy by following the rules, or are we looking at ways to show God’s love to others? We don’t know how many good things the Tax Collector or the Pharisee have done. So let us not condemn anyone based on what we see: behind every face is a story… often a story that has too many moments of pain and too few moments of healing.
Pope Francis reminded us that we must be merciful, not gossiping or telling lies; we should make ourselves available for family gatherings; create opportunities for the youth; and we must respect the environment in big and small ways.
We are invited today: do not compare our good actions to other people, but look for ways to fight the good fight of doing good and bringing healing to others.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
