In this parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray.

The Pharisee prayed about how good he was, but the tax collector asked for God's mercy as he was a sinner. 

Jesus said: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Hosea 6:1-6

Come, let us return to Yahweh.

He who shattered us to pieces, will heal us as well; he has struck us down, but he will bind up our wounds.  Two days later he will bring us back to life;  on the third day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence. Let us strive to know Yahweh.

His coming is as certain as the dawn;  his judgment will burst forth like the light;  he will come to us as showers come, like spring rain that waters the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? O Judah, how shall I deal with you?

This love of yours is like morning mist, like morning dew that quickly disappears.  This is why I smote you through the prophets,  and have slain you by the words of my mouth.  For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;  it is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.

 

Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab

It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus told another parable to some people, fully convinced of their own righteousness, who looked down on others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood by himself, and said, 'I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of all my income to the temple."

In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

I tell you, when this man went back to his house, he had been reconciled with God, but not the other. For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be raised up."

 

Humility Pays

Philosophers, theologians, and saints are unanimous in considering pride as the mother of all evils. Pride was the sin of the fallen angels. Saint Augustine defined pride as "the love of one's own excellence." Conversely, humility is considered the foundation to all virtues.

Socrates argued that humility is the greatest of all virtues. So did Teresa of Avila. For Anthony Mary Claret, humility is the mother of all virtues. Even science is catching up with this insight now: A study published in 2013 by Bradley Owens and colleagues at Brigham Young University has shown that expressed humility has a significantly positive impact on organizational outcomes, leadership effectiveness, greater academic and work performance, and job satisfaction.

In other words, an attitude of humility wins you friends, opens you up to others, and earns you the goodwill and cooperation of others; and all these, besides the highest approval of God! Indeed, the one who humbles himself will be exalted, not only in heaven but on earth as well.