Parable

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Parable

Humble   Proud

Seek   Humility   Repentance

Be Merciful On Sinners

Exalt

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 18: 13

Jesus was telling a parable to those people who thought they were righteous and looked down on others. It was a story of a Pharisee who went to the Temple and told God how good he was. The other man, a tax collector, said:

"O God, be merciful on me, a sinner."

The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not even raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast as he prayed.

Reflection

How do you feel when you meet someone who is always bragging about her or his accomplishments?

It can really turn us off. We can get tired of all the self-praise. We might be saying to ourselves, "Enough is enough!"

The parable that Jesus shares in Luke reminds us of those experiences. The Pharisee is telling God about all the good things he does for God. The tax collector is asking for mercy. She or he is acknowledging sin.

Humility is so important for our spiritual growth. It literally means to tell the truth. The proud person is drawing attention to her or his accomplishments. It is much better if that praise, when it is deserved, comes from another person. 

We don't seek praise or ask for it. We try to live our lives by loving God and others. If someone points that out and thanks us for it, we praise God for the gifts given to us by our Creator. 

We seek God first; and we realize that we find God in serving our sisters and brothers in need. We see that in so many holy women and men who founded religious orders to serve those in need. For example, those who founded schools observed the world around them and noticed that there were children who needed an education and responded by starting institutions to help them.

They served others with humility. When they sinned, they asked for forgiveness and repented. They realized that they were human and had many faults. They never looked for glory for what they had done. They thanked God for the inspiration and strength they were given to help others despite their own weaknesses and limitations.

They were merciful to others because they had received mercy from God when they confessed their own sin.

They never looked to exalt themselves---only to reach out to others who were hurting and in pain. 

As we look around us today, we can ask ourselves about the needs in our communities. Like the tax collector, we acknowledge our sin and weakness. We turn to God for mercy and ask for the wisdom and the strength to extend that mercy to those who are most in need. 

We try to lift them up and exalt them because we know how much our God has lifted us up and exalted us.

God calls us not to brag but to repent and serve--to bring people to the Light! Enjoy your serving!

1. How do you feel when you hear people bragging about their accomplishments?

2. What is humility for you personally?

3. After you have acknowledged your sin and repented from it, do you feel any changes in your life?

4. Is it difficult for you to extend mercy to those who have hurt you?

5. As you contemplate Kathy's photo, what feelings fill your heart?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)