1st Reading: Hos 6:1-6     |    Gospel: Lk 18:9-14

Jesus told another parable to some persons 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 the 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 down to his house, he had been set right with God, but not the other. For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be raised."

Reflection:  

Being humble means being "down to earth," well aware of who you are and where you stand before God. One who admits that he is a sinner and in need of God’s mercy is much closer to heaven than the one who is self-righteous.
The "Jesus Prayer" is a proven remedy against self-righteousness. "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner." This simple prayer can be prayed as a mantra throughout the day, and is a way of remembering where we stand before God. If we admit our sins and cry out for God’s mercy we will never be disappointed.