Humility

What does true humility before God really look like? In this meditation, Fr. Paul Donlan reflects on the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican from Luke 18, explaining that authentic holiness begins not with self-congratulation but with an honest recognition of our sinfulness and our need for God's mercy. He contrasts pride, self-righteousness, and judgment of others with the humility exemplified by the tax collector's prayer, "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner," and encourages daily examination of conscience, trust in Divine Mercy, and imitation of the humility of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Fr. Paul concludes that humility is the foundation of the Christian life, echoing St. Augustine's teaching that the first, second, and third most important virtues in the religion of Jesus Christ are humility.