October 26, 2025, Luke 18:9-14
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm
Are You Really Better or Worse Than Anyone Else?
Comparing ourselves to others is a two-sided coin. On the one hand, we see ourselves as so much better than others and can’t help but look down on them. On the other hand, we can’t help but see someone better than us, and we automatically put ourselves down.
Sports are a great contributor to comparing our team with another team. Before the game begins, “We can beat them.” After the game, “How did that happen? We lost!”
The Pharisee in today’s parable was in the front of the church because HE DESERVED IT. Jesus points out that the Pharisee prayed, not to God, but to himself. He seems to believe that God somehow needs his good deeds.
Can we ever truly give God anything good that we haven’t already received from His generosity and mercy? Living in God’s kingdom, everything is Grace. Everything we do and say is blessed by him. Jesus also reminds us in John’s gospel that without him, we can do nothing. That is, without God, we are unable to do anything that pleases Him.
So, how do we pray in a way that pleases Almighty God so that we know He hears our prayer? We pray with a clean heart. So, we begin our prayer time by examining our conscience and calling on the Lord’s merciful love. We want to be right with God when we pray.
That’s how the Holy Mass begins. After we make the sign of the cross, we welcome the Lord’s presence, and we hear the words, “Let us call to mind our sins and ask God for mercy.”
That is how the tax collector prayed. He didn’t compare himself to the Pharisee. He didn’t want to be like the Pharisee. He aspired to be like God. He was fully aware of how much he fell short of that likeness.
So he focused on his honest relationship with God. He bowed his head in deep humility. He dared not look up for fear of getting distracted and losing his focus. And what did he discover deep in his heart – the beautiful mercy of the Lord in all its fullness? In that mercy, he realized how deeply God loved him.
My friends, pray for that mercy. Let us keep our focus on the Lord Jesus and all the good things he does for us. And as we finish our prayer time, the Presence of the Lord will be with us like Mother Mary, who proclaimed, “The Almighty has done great things for me.”
Gospel Challenge:
What would you say is the greatest thing the Almighty has done for you that you could never do for yourself?
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
frrick@bscchurch.com
Fr. Rick’s Gospel Reflection for the 30th Sunday of the Year C
October 26, 2025, Luke 18:9-14
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm
Are You Really Better or Worse Than Anyone Else?
Comparing ourselves to others is a two-sided coin. On the one hand, we see ourselves as so much better than others and can’t help but look down on them. On the other hand, we can’t help but see someone better than us, and we automatically put ourselves down.
Sports are a great contributor to comparing our team with another team. Before the game begins, “We can beat them.” After the game, “How did that happen? We lost!”
The Pharisee in today’s parable was in the front of the church because HE DESERVED IT. Jesus points out that the Pharisee prayed, not to God, but to himself. He seems to believe that God somehow needs his good deeds.
Can we ever truly give God anything good that we haven’t already received from His generosity and mercy? Living in God’s kingdom, everything is Grace. Everything we do and say is blessed by him. Jesus also reminds us in John’s gospel that without him, we can do nothing. That is, without God, we are unable to do anything that pleases Him.
So, how do we pray in a way that pleases Almighty God so that we know He hears our prayer? We pray with a clean heart. So, we begin our prayer time by examining our conscience and calling on the Lord’s merciful love. We want to be right with God when we pray.
That’s how the Holy Mass begins. After we make the sign of the cross, we welcome the Lord’s presence, and we hear the words, “Let us call to mind our sins and ask God for mercy.”
That is how the tax collector prayed. He didn’t compare himself to the Pharisee. He didn’t want to be like the Pharisee. He aspired to be like God. He was fully aware of how much he fell short of that likeness.
So he focused on his honest relationship with God. He bowed his head in deep humility. He dared not look up for fear of getting distracted and losing his focus. And what did he discover deep in his heart – the beautiful mercy of the Lord in all its fullness? In that mercy, he realized how deeply God loved him.
My friends, pray for that mercy. Let us keep our focus on the Lord Jesus and all the good things he does for us. And as we finish our prayer time, the Presence of the Lord will be with us like Mother Mary, who proclaimed, “The Almighty has done great things for me.”
Gospel Challenge:
What would you say is the greatest thing the Almighty has done for you that you could never do for yourself?
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
frrick@bscchurch.com
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