Daily Mass Readings and Daily Meditation ”The Word Among Us” ~ Sunday, 27 October 2013
Meditation: Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”(Messianic WEB)
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
Self-confidence is a virtue in business, in our families, and in our parishes. Think about St. Paul. He was very confident in his abilities. He was a fearless evangelist. He established churches everywhere he went. He taught, wrote, and performed miracles. Without self-confidence, Paul would not have been able to accomplish all that he did. A modern-day psychologist might describe Paul as having a “strong ego.”
But that’s a lot different from a person who has a “large ego.”
People with strong egos have let life’s ups and downs reveal their strengths and weaknesses—and they have learned how to use their strengths in a productive way. Paul was bold and pushy. He liked to get his way. He made a lot of mistakes. But he learned from them. He let them teach him humility. He even spoke about how proud and self-centered he was before he met the Lord (Philippians 3:3-10).
By contrast, people with large egos are self-centered. They are always looking for adulation and recognition. They elevate themselves over others and look down on the people they consider inferior to themselves. The Pharisee in today’s parable had a large ego. He lived a moral life. He fasted, and he gave money to the poor. But he let his goodness go to his head, as he looked down on the repentant tax collector. His ego was so large that he didn’t have room for anyone else—not even the Lord—in his life.
God wants us to be confident. He wants us to develop the gifts that he has given to us to their fullest potential so that we can push forward and build the kingdom. But we have to watch out for the trap of pride. Being confident is a good thing. But we always have to be sure that our confidence is grounded in humility, not self-glory. That’s the secret to having a strong ego, not a large one.
“Lord, teach me true humility and strength of character.” AMEN!
Sirach 35:12 Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
13 For he is a God who always repays
and will give back to you sevenfold.e
14 But offer no bribes; these he does not accept!
16 He shows no partiality to the weak
but hears the grievance of the oppressed.*
17 He does not forsake the cry of the orphan,h
nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
18 Do not the tears that stream down her cheek(New American Bible)
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall boast in the LORD.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
3 Oh magnify the LORD with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.(Messianic WEB)
23 The LORD is the redeemer of the souls of his servants;
and none are condemned who take refuge in him.(New American Bible)
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.(Messianic WEB)
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
Sirach 35:12 Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
13 For he is a God who always repays
and will give back to you sevenfold.e
14 But offer no bribes; these he does not accept!
16 He shows no partiality to the weak
but hears the grievance of the oppressed.*
17 He does not forsake the cry of the orphan,h
nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
18 Do not the tears that stream down her cheek(New American Bible)
Psalm 34:2 My soul shall boast in the LORD.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
3 Oh magnify the LORD with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.(Messianic WEB)
23 The LORD is the redeemer of the souls of his servants;
and none are condemned who take refuge in him.(New American Bible)
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.(Messianic WEB)
Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”(Messianic WEB)
1. In the first reading, we hear that "the one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens." How "willing" is your response to God? To what extent do you respond just out of duty versus responding out of an experience of God’s love and mercy toward you? How would you describe the difference between these two ways of responding to God?
2. The responsorial psalm say that God hears the cries of the “lowly,” “just,” "brokenhearted,” and those who are “crushed in spirit.” Why do you think this is so? Do you know of some people who are going through difficult circumstances right now? What additional steps can you take individually, or with others, to reach out to them?
3. In the letter to Timothy, Paul uses a sport’s metaphor when he says these words: “I have completed well; I have finished the race," that is, God’s call for his life. When you look at your life, how important is it to have “competed well” and “finished the race” God has given you? Why?
4. In the Gospel, the tax collector, whose prayer was humble and lowly, "went home justified" by God, while the Pharisee did not. What are some specific qualities of humility in the short, but powerful, prayer of the tax collector? How could they be incorporated by you into your own prayers?
5. The meditation describes the difference between “strong egos” and “large egos.” How would you describe the difference? How do these differences apply to you?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord to show you the difference between true humility and false humility, and for the grace to live a life of true humility. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.
“Lord, teach me true humility and strength of character.” AMEN!
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