Homilies | Father Nathan

Father Nathan | Homily

30th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction:

The main theme of today’s Gospel is to pray and to connect to God with humility all through our life however may be our situation and circumstances. We are called to pray with humility. Pray in such a manner that we will be “Justified “before God, that could be possible only by humbling ourselves before God.

Scripture lessons summarized:

The first reading, from Sirach, is a perfect companion piece to the Gospel parable.  In one striking image from Sirach, the writer declares “the prayer of the lowly, pierces the clouds to reach the unseen throne of God.” 

Such prayers are heard because they come from the hearts of people who know how much they need God. 

Although God has no favorites and answers the prayers of all, the oppressed, the orphans, the widows, and those who can least help themselves are His special concern. 

The best prayer is humble and selfless service. 

In the second reading, the former Pharisee Paul, like the publican in the Gospel parable, humbly acknowledges, his work as accomplished by the grace of God, and he thanks God for enabling him to fight a good battle — to run a good race while keeping his Faith intact and proclaiming it.

In today’s Gospel parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus reminds us that God hears the prayers those who approach Him in humility with a repentant heart.

God did not hear the prayer of this Pharisee because he exalted himself. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving that he was not as evil as other people.  He announced to God his freedom from sin and detailed his fidelity in observing the prescribed fast and in giving tithes.

The tax collector’s prayer, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” God heard his prayer because he humbled himself, acknowledging his sins and requesting God’s mercy.

Life messages:

1) let us be grounded: The word HUMAN comes from the Latin word “HUMAS” which means ground, earth or mud. Humans needed to be grounded or humbled but today on the contrary, the world has lost its meaning of humility rather it’s seek for praise and recognition from others for any accomplishments. Its thinks so low of a person who is humble.

2. let us learn from our Blessed Mother: If we take any apparition of our blessed mother , she has appeared to simple people, people who are humble and people who are grounded. Please take any statues of our blessed mother, she will be always focusing on the ground….. To let us know that we ought to be grounded.

3) Let us include all the necessary ingredients in our prayers.  Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins, thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God, praise and worship, the unconditional surrender of our life and all our activities completely and unconditionally to God, the acknowledgement  of our weakness and total dependence on Him, and finally, the presentation of our needs and petitions, accompanied by the fervent request for God’s strengthening in our weakness and temptations by the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit.   Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Have a Blessed Week,

Fr. Nathan