Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

St. Paul writes in today’s Epistle: «By the grace of God I am what I am.» The Pharisee, whom Jesus talks about in today’s Gospel, seems to think similarly, because he thanks God for what he is and what he is not.

In fact, the way to think of this Pharisee is radically different from that of the former Pharisee, Paul. Paul’s recognition of God’s grace humbles him so much that he considers himself less than all others, while the Pharisee in the Tospel is arrogant and convinced that he is better than others.

Our reaction, when confronted with the sin or holiness of others, can be contradictory. Seeing someone’s sin may make us feel better than them, but it can also help us to look inward and realize that we are not better than them at all. While listening to confessions, I have often sighed to myself and felt deep shame and thought, «if only I had your sins.»

We can also react differently to another person’s holiness: it can irritate us and make us we feel unworthy, but it can also encourage and motivate us.

The focus here should not be on ourselves, but on God and His grace. The grace by which we live. The grace that inspires us, so we become able to love all our neighbors, because they are just like us: sinners longing for holiness.