Saturday of the Third Week

Reflection

Today’s Gospel is a tough reminder of what humility actually looks like. It’s easy to look down on the Pharisee; his pride is so obvious, and his “gratitude” feels more like a performance than a prayer. But when I really sit with this, I realize I’m not always the tax collector I’d like to be.

The truth is, most of us want to be seen as “good”—both by God and the people around us. There’s a comfort in following the “prescription” of being a good Catholic, checking the boxes and feeling like we’re earning our way to heaven. But that’s exactly where pride hides. We start thinking our goodness is something we create.

In reality, we have nothing on our own. It isn’t gold-star behavior that makes us worthy; it’s simply that God loves us. Real humility is about letting go of the “us” part, and just being with God. It’s acknowledging Him as our life source and realizing it’s not a competition or a ladder we have to climb.

We don’t need to do more or be more. We don’t rise up to meet God through our own effort; He comes down to meet us exactly where we are. When we practice that kind of humility, we can finally stop performing, let go of that hidden pride, and just relax in His love.  

Prayer

Lord, help me to stop performing and simply learn to rest in Your love. Thank You for meeting me right where I am and reminding me that, in Your presence, I am already enough.

Monique Tetreault, ’97
Member of the Worshiping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21b
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website