Homily – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Dear brothers and sisters, welcome to our celebration of the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today we gather as one family of faith — visitors and all parishioners alike — to give thanks to God for His goodness and to listen to His life-giving Word. Every time we come to Mass, we stand before God just as we are — with our joys and struggles, our hopes and weaknesses. Today’s readings remind us that what matters most to God is not how perfect we appear, but how humble and sincere our hearts are before Him. In the Gospel, Jesus gives us a powerful lesson through the story of two men who went up to the temple to pray: one a Pharisee, proud of his own goodness; the other a tax collector, aware of his sins and in need of mercy. 

The Book of Sirach tells us that “The prayer of the Lowly pierces the clouds.” God is not impressed by wealth, power, or status. He does not show favoritism. Instead, He listens especially to those who are poor, oppressed, and brokenhearted. In simple terms, God is not moved by appearance or show; He is moved by sincerity. The humble prayer of someone who truly depends on God goes straight to Heaven — it “pierces the clouds.” Humility in prayer means recognizing that we are not perfect, but deeply loved by a merciful God.

In the second reading, St. Paul reflects on his life and says, “I have competed well; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” He speaks not with pride, but with gratitude and confidence in God. Paul doesn’t take credit for his success; he gives all glory to God, who gave him strength to persevere. Even when people abandoned him, he says, “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” Humility also means acknowledging that every achievement and blessing in our lives is by God’s grace. Paul shows us that real greatness comes not from comparing ourselves to others, but from faithfully finishing the mission God gives us.

This Gospel gives us one of Jesus’ most powerful parables: the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee stands in the temple and said a prayer on how perfect he is — fasting, tithing, and keeping the law. His prayer is full of “I”: I fast… I give… I am not like others… He is praying, but his prayer is all about himself. The tax collector, on the other hand, stands far off, not even daring to lift his eyes to Heaven. He simply says, “O, God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Let every prayer begin with the tax collector’s words: “O. God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” That short prayer keeps our hearts humble and open. The humble person sees others not as competitors, but as brothers and sisters loved by God. Instead of judging others, pray for them.
Like St. Paul, always remember: it is the Lord who strengthens you, sustains you, and rewards your faithfulness.

Brothers and sisters, the Gospel of today calls us to something deeper — humility before God. A simple heart that says, “Lord, I need You” is worth more in God’s eyes than all the proud prayers in the world. Let us, then, approach the altar today like the tax collector — aware of our weakness, but confident in God’s mercy. For as Jesus promised: “Who humbles himself will be exalted.” May our hearts always remain humble, ready to forgive, and our faith steadfast — until the day we too can say with St. Paul, “I have competed well ……I have kept the faith.” Amen

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

1. Did Jesus tell a story about two men who went to the temple to pray? Yes
2. Were the two men a Pharisee and a tax collector? Yes
3. Did the Pharisee think he was better than other people? Yes
4. Did the Pharisee thank God for being humble? No
5. Did the Pharisee say he fasted twice a week? Yes
6. Did the Pharisee say he gave one-tenth of all he owned? Yes
7. Did the tax collector stand far away from others? Yes
8. Did the tax collector feel proud of himself? No
9. Did the tax collector look up to heaven when he prayed? No
10. Did the tax collector beat his chest as he prayed? Yes
11. Did the tax collector ask God for mercy? Yes
12. Did Jesus say both men were forgiven in the same way? No
13. Did Jesus say the Pharisee went home justified? No
14. Did Jesus say the tax collector went home justified? Yes
15. Did Jesus say that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled? Yes
16. Did Jesus say that everyone who humbles himself will be exalted? Yes
17. Did the Pharisee admit that he was a sinner? No
18. Did the tax collector know he needed God’s help? Yes
19. Did Jesus want us to pray with pride like the Pharisee? No
20. Did Jesus teach us to be humble before God? Yes