Third Saturday of Lent

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

One of the ways the Devil attacks pious people is by convincing them of their own righteousness. There is nothing wrong with being righteous in the sense of doing the right thing, but when we start pointing out to others how right we are, then there is a problem. When we exalt ourselves we set ourselves up for a fall. Instead, we should be humble like the tax collector and constantly asking mercy for our sins, which are more numerous than even we know.

Have we treated anyone else as if we were better than them? How do we humble ourselves each day? Do we constantly ask for mercy from our Father?

O Lord, we humble ourselves before you.

Amen.