Interior Holiness vs. Outward Appearances

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Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector…” Luke 18:9–10

Humility is a beautiful virtue. Even the most public sinner, like a tax collector, shines brightly with God’s grace when his heart is purified by humility. On the other hand, pride is an ugly vice. When pride is present in someone’s life, the soul is incapable of reflecting God’s pure and beautiful light.

Today’s parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, who both go to the temple to pray, teaches us that true holiness comes from within. The interior virtues of the soul allow God’s radiance to shine outwardly. When humility and repentance fill a person’s heart, the soul reflects God’s grace.

We may all encounter people who seem to radiate God’s grace, peace, and joy. Conversely, we may meet others who radiate judgment, self-righteousness, and condemnation. While we must avoid judging others, we cannot help but be inspired by the genuine humility of those whose lives are marked by grace. For example, even if we forget the exact words of Saint Mother Teresa’s many speeches, her radiant charity, fueled by humility, is unforgettable.

The Pharisees were known for their meticulous observance of the external requirements of the Law of Moses. However, their scrupulous adherence to these laws often blinded them to the deeper virtues that God desires. They became focused on appearances, missing the heart of the matter: humility and love of God.

Praying in the temple is a good and pious act. Both the Pharisee and the tax collector did this. However, prayer that is distorted by self-righteousness, pride, and arrogance cannot rise to God as true prayer. Only when prayer is guided by humility and an awareness of our need for God’s mercy does it become a channel of grace.

The tax collector was humble because he recognized his sinfulness and his need for God’s mercy. He prayed, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The Pharisee, blinded by pride, could not see his own need for God’s forgiveness and instead praised himself for his external observances. The tax collector’s humility opened him to divine wisdom, while the Pharisee’s pride left him in spiritual blindness. Humility is wise; pride is foolish.

Reflect today on how you approach prayer. Are you wise in your prayer? Do you, like the tax collector, acknowledge your need for God’s mercy? Pray the tax collector’s prayer with sincerity and depth: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” If you find yourself thinking, “I’m not that bad of a sinner,” then your prayer is more like that of the Pharisee. Don’t shy away from the truth. Humbly confess your weaknesses and sins before God. He is merciful. Acknowledge your complete dependence on His grace. Only then, like the tax collector, will you go home justified before God.

Most merciful God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I need You. I need Your forgiveness. By Your grace, help me to see my sins clearly, confess them, and experience the joy of redemption. Fill me with humility, dear Lord, so that I may know the truth of myself and, through Your wisdom, be set free. Jesus, I trust in You.

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