Lk 18: 9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of -America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Becoming “Right-Sized”
I used to live with a Jesuit who had an interesting take on humility. His basic point is this: humility is not the act of intentionally making ourselves small; humility is the task of becoming ‘right-sized.’ Said another way: to be humble is to be as God made us – to acknowledge all our talents and shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses – and turn them fully toward the good.
Jesus tells us about two talented men today. One exploits his ‘goodness’ at the expense of those whom he has judged as lesser. In his false-humility and self-exaltation, he becomes arrogant. The other recognizes his sinfulness and seeks God’s mercy. The former will be humbled, the latter exalted. Surely, we have been both at times.
Do we judge others against our own gifts? Do we see ourselves as better, holier, more important than others, or are we ‘right-sized,’ using what we have for good?
—Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, is a vocation promoter for the Midwest Jesuits. He was ordained in June 2022. Learn more about Jesuit vocations at beajesuit.org.
Prayer
O God –
Let me have too deep a sense of humor to be proud.
Let me know my absurdity before I act absurdly.
Let me realize that when I am humble I am most human,
most truthful,
and most worthy of your serious consideration.
—Daniel A. Lord, SJ