March 29, 2025: Called to be Humble

Once, there was a tall, strong tree that stood by a river. It was proud of its height and thick branches. It often laughed at the nearby reeds, saying, "Look how weak you are! You bend so easily, while I stand firm against the wind."

The reeds replied softly, "Brother Tree, humility keeps us safe. By bending, we survive the storm." But the tree only scoffed.

One day, a fierce storm came. The wind howled, and the river raged. The proud tree stood straight, refusing to bend. "I will not bow!" it declared. But the storm grew stronger—until, with a loud CRACK!, the tree snapped and fell into the river.

The reeds, however, bent low with the wind. When the storm passed, they stood up again, unharmed.

The fallen tree, now broken, understood too late. "I was foolish," it sighed. "My pride destroyed me, while humility saved you."

The Danger of Self-Righteousness

The Pharisee in this parable believed himself to be righteous because of his good deeds. He compared himself to others and was proud of his fasting and tithing. However, his prayer lacked humility and a genuine need for God’s mercy.

Like the proud tree in the story above, those who stand firm in their self-righteousness will eventually fall. Many times, we may also fall into the trap of self-righteousness, believing that our good works make us better than others. But Jesus reminds us that outward righteousness is meaningless without true humility before God.

The Power of Humility

The tax collector, on the other hand, was deeply aware of his sinfulness. He did not justify himself or compare himself to others. Instead, he humbly asked for God’s mercy, recognizing his need for forgiveness.

Like the humble reeds, those who bow before God in repentance and humility will find strength to stand again after life’s storms. Jesus declared that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified. This shows that God values a repentant heart more than religious rituals or outward displays of righteousness.

1. Mother Teresa – A Life of Humility

Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving the poor and sick in the slums of Calcutta. Unlike the Pharisee in the parable, she never boasted about her good works. Instead, she saw herself as a servant of God and remained humble despite worldwide recognition. Her life reminds us that true righteousness is found in humility and love for others.

2. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – The Humble Leader

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, was a man of great wisdom and scientific brilliance. Despite holding one of the highest offices in the country, he remained humble and accessible to the people. He lived a simple life, never boasting about his achievements, and always gave credit to God and his team for his success. His humility and dedication to service reflected the values Jesus emphasized in this parable.

Lessons for Us

1.     Avoid self-righteousness: Comparing ourselves to others or taking pride in our good deeds can lead to spiritual blindness.

2.     Embrace humility: True faith requires acknowledging our sinfulness and our need for God’s grace.

3.     Pray with sincerity: God values an honest and humble heart more than an impressive religious performance.

4.     Seek God’s mercy daily: Like the tax collector, we should always approach God with a repentant heart.

Questions for Reflection

1.     Do I ever compare myself to others and feel spiritually superior?

2.     When I pray, do I truly seek God’s mercy, or do I focus on my own good works?

3.     How can I develop a more humble heart before God and others?

4.     What steps can I take to serve God with humility rather than seeking recognition?

5.     Do I recognize my need for God’s grace every day, or do I rely on my own righteousness?

Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9-14 challenges us to examine our hearts. Let us seek to be like the tax collector—humble, repentant, and fully dependent on God’s mercy. In doing so, we will find true justification before God and experience His grace in our lives.