Humility helps

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring us to reflect on the waves of firm resolution and frequent set back which often mark our journey to deeper intimacy with the Divine. Like the Prophet Hosea, we are aware of the division between the direction toward holiness that our relationship with God shows us and the decisions to remain in our comfort with our habits of self satisfaction. The psalmist through the great words of Psalm 51 captures the tension and the passion of God to delight in us and our call to be the example to others living in communion with His Presence. The Gospel from Luke tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Friar Jude Winkler warns that our faithful practice of religious customs may generate a false pride and deceptive sense of righteousness in our being. We may be so satisfied with our behaviour that our righteousness is more of the Pharisee form than the humble awareness of our need for the mercy of God voiced for us by the tax collector.