Thirtieth Sunday of the Year: C: October 26, 2025

 THE HUMBLE SHALL BE EXALTED

Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to reflect on the virtues of humility and honesty in our prayers and in our lives. In the first reading from the book of Sirach tells us that God shows no partiality in the case of the poor and the underprivileged. In the Gospel today, we have a very thought provoking parable: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. Both of them go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee is self-righteous and thinks that he is better placed than all others including the tax-collector. Whereas, the tax-collector, remains at a distance, acknowledges his sinfulness and unworthiness. Jesus commends the tax-collector for his honesty and humility. Whereas, the Pharisee is stand down for his self-righteousness and pride. 

First Reading: Sirach 35: 15 to 17 and 20 to 22

Second Reading: 2Timothy 4: 6 to 8 and 16 to 18

Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 9 to 14

   *First reading is from the book of Sirach. The focus of the passage is on the justice of God. It tells us that the Lord God is not a respecter of persons. He shows no partiality for the rich and the powerful. He listens to the humble prayers of the just and the lowly. The Lord God hears the cry of the poor, the orphan and the widow. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul is a prisoner in Rome. He feels that his death is drawing near. But he is very confident about the crowning glory that awaits him in heaven. Paul writes to Timothy that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and now awaits his final reward.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-collector                                       St. Luke's Gospel has several narratives involving tax-collectors and Pharisees. The Pharisees are often depicted as grumbling, arrogant and suspicious about Jesus' teachings. Tax-collectors are often depicted as receptive and looking for redemption. In the parable, Jesus contrasts the behaviour of two persons: A Pharisee, who is conscious of his own righteousness and a tax-collector, who is conscious of his own sinfulness and pleads for divine mercy. The Pharisee and the tax-collector represent two type of persons: How they consider themselves before God. The way they pray illustrates two manners of prayer. The tax-collector truly prays for divine mercy, while the Pharisee does not, since the gratitude he expresses to God is nothing but self-glorification and self-assurance before God, whose grace he does not seem to need. The tax-collector represents  a sinner who truly repents and is humble. The tax-collector stands far off. He has no annual returns to boast of: His percentage is stolen from the people. He tells the simple truth about himself: "God be merciful to me, a sinner." He does not beat about the bush but beats his breast instead. He has nothing to offer God but his own wrong-doings and brokenness. Jesus comments on the parable: "But I tell you, this man (tax-collector) went down to his home justified rather than the other (Pharisee). With those words, Jesus is challenging the world order of that time. He declares that the tax-collector goes home justified while the Pharisee does not. The tax-collector prayed for mercy but he is now justified. In the eyes of Jesus, values of the world are turned upside down. The tax-collector's prayer "pierced the clouds" whereas, the Pharisee's prayer reached its destination: himself (Seasons of the Word). 

Conclusion: Today's parable challenges our attitude towards our fellow humans and our attitude towards God. Some times we are found in the company of the Pharisee: self-righteous and proud. It is no secret that many of us have a little Pharisee lurking in us. We often parade our good deeds before God and others: May not do so in so many words but we think it. It is time to have a change of attitudes. Remember the words of Jesus about the tax-collector: "This man went home justified rather than the other." 

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us today the need to be honest and humble in our prayers and life,  bless you with His manifold blessings and be a blessing to others. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, October 26, 2025." Thanks.)