10 Sunday After Pentecost Homily

From the Book of Psalms we are told, “A humble and contrite heart, thou, O God, will not despise.” 

This is exactly what is taking place within the depths of the heart of the publican. He acknowledges his sinfulness and prevails himself to God’s mercy. He was found to be humble of heart.

On the other hand we have the pharisee who is the complete opposite. As the Book of Revelation instructs, “You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Through the pride of the pharisee he was unable to be truthful with himself thus acknowledging his sinfulness and prevailing himself to God’s mercy. He was found to be be prideful of heart.

It was from the cross that a criminal called out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The Lord then responded to him, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” And so from humility this thief came to acknowledge his sinfulness and prevail himself to God’s mercy. Through his humility and God’s mercy he was able to be with Him in paradise. He serves as a perfect example to of the wretchedness of our sin and the power of God’s mercy.

We cannot deny that we are sick with sin. Despite our sinfulness we should acknowledge the fact that we can be made whole and find healing. All that we need to do in order to obtain this reality is to be found humble of heart and to be moved towards a spirit of repentance. The publican showed us the path that we must take in order to obtain it while the pharisee shows us the easy path that we can take in order to reject it.

It is easy to look outward towards those giant glaring example of sinners instead of looking inwardly upon self. Thus not only is the sinner the thief, the murderer, the prostitute, but also each of us. Sacred Scripture does instruct, “Though the just fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.”

Again we are all in need of God’s healing and forgiveness. Through our practice of humility we acknowledge this sinfulness and are able to rise again with Christ. We must overcome all pride and be found humble of heart in such a profession. There is nothing that we should keep from God’s infinite mercy for His infinite mercy will truly bring healing to our soul. Let us thus join with this publican in his humility and cry out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”