Humility

In this weekend’s Gospel lesson, Jesus tells a parable
about two men who go up to the temple to pray. One was a
Pharisee, the other was a tax collector. We are all familiar with
this little story. While the Pharisee was demonstrating an
unwholesome attitude of superiority, the tax-collector’s
attitude bespoke his humility. After telling the story, Jesus
tells the crowd that the tax-collector went home from the
temple justified, but the other man did not. “For those who
exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble
themselves will be exalted.”
The point of Jesus’ parable is that God can do something
for the tax collector who is aware of his need to change, and
open to the possibility that, with God’s help, he can be a better
person. However, the Pharisee has arrived at a dead end
because he has no humility! He is not aware of his need to
change. He is not open to the possibility that, with God’s help
he can be a better person. On the contrary, he regards himself
as the best of all possible persons and, therefore, God has no
need to do anything for him. And as long as he persists in that
attitude, God can only leave him to wallow in his own virtue -
his own self-appointed sainthood.
The story is told, that a modern-day, self-righteous person
went to a Doctor for a check-up. “I’m not feeling very well
these days,” He said. “Please examine me thoroughly, and tell
me what’s wrong.” Whereupon, the Doctor began with a few
questions. . . “Do you drink a lot?” “No, I never touch the
stuff, I’m a teetotaler, and proud of it.” “Do you smoke?”
“No! I’ve never gone near tobacco, and I’m proud of it!”
“What about your sleeping habits?” “I go to bed early. While
others are out carousing late at night. I’m in bed by 9:30, and
I’m proud of it! “Well, what is your complaint at this time?”
“I have terrible pains in my head.” “Aha! That’s your
trouble. Your halo is on too tight!”
A religious snob, who liked to appear full of virtue, once
said to Mark Twain, “Before I die, I’m going to make a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I shall climb to the top of Mount
Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud!” To which
Twain replied, “I have a better idea! Why don’t you stay right
at home and keep them?” “Everyone who humbles himself or
herself will be exalted!” So says the Lord! Think about it!!