Pharisee and Tax Collector

Luke 18: 9-14

This is the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector from Christ Jesus.

It can sometimes be called the Pharisee and the Publican. What is a Publican? I remember one person describing humorously that a Publican takes money and gives it to the government, while a Republican takes money from the government and gives it back to the people.

In the parable, the Pharisee presumably does everything right. He fasts twice a week, and he tithes ten percent of his income. The only problem is that he wears his good works on his sleeves. He wants everyone to know about it!

On the other hand, the Tax Collector has nothing worth boasting. Tax Collectors were considered traitors by the Hebrews. They worked for the Roman Government against their own people. Often, they took advantaged of their position through exploitation. The Tax Collector seeks forgiveness from God in the temple: “Be Merciful to Me, a Sinner.” Christ says that the latter went home justified. He praises those who are humble of heart.

Here are six tips to help with humility.

1.  God is always in charge. God is in the Driver's Seat. When we are doing well and tempted to boast, it's good to remember the grace of God at work in our lives.

2. Praying for growth in the virtue of humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to help open your eyes to see how pride can wreak havoc for our soul.

3. When tempted to look at the faults of others, one should pay more attention to one's own. Christ says: “Why do you notice the mote in your brother's eye but do not notice the wooden beam in your own eyes.”

4. Don’t hide behind your dignity and reputation because it is PRIDE'S favorite hiding place. Your value and self-worth is in the eyes of God, not through your own eyes or the eyes of the world.

5. Seek God's mercy for wrongdoing by going to Confessions. Sin is not unforgivable if we trust and rely in God's mercy.

6. Serve others. When we serve others, we imitate the Christ who had come to serve. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Mark 10:45).

May you walk humbly with God!