Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 25, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 4:00 Vigil Mass & 12:00 Mass
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23;2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Audio Recording
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story we all need to hear again — the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It’s brief, but it goes straight to the heart of prayer, worship, and standing before God.
“Two people went up to the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” On the surface, both look devout. Both go to God’s house to pray. But only one goes home justified. Why? Because of one word that makes all the difference: humility.
The Pharisee’s words sound religious, even pious. He thanks God — but notice what Luke adds: “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself.” That phrase reveals everything. His lips say “O God,” but his heart is turned inward. He’s not praying to God at all. His “prayer” is a performance. He declares, “I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity…or even like this tax collector.”
He lists his spiritual achievements — fasting, tithing — as if they were currency to buy God’s favor. He believes his holiness makes him worthy. But while he thinks he’s lifting his heart to heaven, his prayer never leaves the ground. You see, pride turns prayer into a monologue and worship into self-promotion.
This is a danger for any of us who grow comfortable in our faith. When we start comparing ourselves to others, or come to church more to evaluate than to adore, we too end up “praying to ourselves.”
Now look at the tax collector. He stands at a distance, won’t raise his eyes, beats his breast, and whispers, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” No speeches, no accomplishments — just the truth. And Jesus says this man, not the Pharisee, went home justified. The simple fact is that humility opens the door to grace and pride slams it shut.
Every Sunday, we too “go up to the temple.” We enter this sacred space to stand in the presence of the living God. But how do we come? Like the Pharisee — comfortable and confident in our own righteousness? Or like the tax collector — aware of our unworthiness and amazed at God’s mercy, His unconditional love for us in spite of our failings?
When we walk through those church doors, we step onto holy ground. The sanctuary lamp burns next to the tabernacle, reminding us that the Lord of heaven and earth is truly present here. The angels veil their faces before Him, and yet we dare to approach His altar.
This should make us pause. We are unworthy to receive Him, yet out of love He calls us forward. That moment at Mass — when we the walk down the aisle and say the quiet “Amen” — should be filled with wonder. We are not coming to receive a symbol but a Savior. The King of kings humbles Himself to come under our roof. How can we not approach Him with humble and reverent hearts?
Humility is the antidote for the deadly sin of pride. It doesn’t mean denying our worth. It means seeing reality as it truly is: God is God, and we are not. Everything we have — faith, health, family, every breath — is gift. When we see life that way, prayer becomes gratitude, worship becomes awe, and every moment becomes a chance to say, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
In our first reading Sirach says, “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” God hears the cry of the humble. He is not impressed by status or reputation. He hears the orphan, the widow, the brokenhearted — anyone who knows they cannot save themselves and asks Him for His mercy. He hears us!
In our second reading St. Paul shows us what that humility looks like in action. He can say, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith,” yet he boasts only in the Lord when he says: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.”
True humility does not erase our dignity — it perfects it. We are beloved sons and daughters of God, we are called to share in His divine life. The way up is down: we rise by kneeling, we live by surrender, we are filled by confessing our need.
So how do we live humility? How do we show true reverence before Him and appreciation for all he has done for us?
- Pray like the tax collector — honestly and simply — not like the Pharisee, prideful and self-righteous.
- Pray with gratitude, giving thanks for your many blessings — for life itself — without comparing yourself to anyone.
- Enter the church with the awe of someone standing before your Creator.
- Come dressed as though you had an audience with the King of the Universe, because you do.
- Approach the altar with bowed head and open heart. And let every “Lord, have mercy” chip away at the stubborn pride that blinds us.
At the end of our lives, may we, like Paul, be able to say, “I have kept the faith.” And may we, like the tax collector, beat our breast and whisper, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
My dear friends in Christ, practice humility, be truly reverent in the presence of our all-powerful Lord, and always be merciful to others just as you want God to be merciful to you. These are the keys to living a life that is holy and pleasing to Our Lord. Use these keys to open the door to Heaven.
God bless you.