Daily Gospel Reflection for March 29, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Comparison is such an easy trap to fall into today. Social media makes it so easy to show what we want others to see or for us to see glimpses into other family’s lives. We may see perfect-looking houses or relationships and be left wanting more. Or, maybe we are more like the Pharisee in this parable and are judging others by comparing our strengths to their faults.

Confidence is not bad; it is good to have the wisdom to feel confident that we are making the right choices. However, when we are overly confident in ourselves, that turns into pride. The Pharisee in this parable is prideful and becomes blind to his own faults. His overconfidence in his good choices becomes his downfall.

The tax collector, however, keeps to himself and has the wisdom to realize that he has made mistakes in his life and needs to ask for forgiveness. He doesn’t look around at anyone else in the temple to see where he stands compared to them, but focuses on his own relationship with God.

One of my kids can be pretty competitive about everything. He wants to know who was the best at doing an activity. I have to give lots of “focus on yourself” reminders to him and my other kids throughout the day. And I feel like that’s exactly what Jesus is telling us in this parable. Focus on yourself, and on how you can do better. But with one distinction--He is also saying to focus on God too. Focus on your relationship with Him instead of comparing yourself to others. He wants to know you personally and is not interested in comparing you to someone else.

Ponder:

How can you practice having more humility in your daily life? When is the last time you went to confession?

Pray:

God, give me the humility to confess my sins and ask for forgiveness. Take away the temptation of comparing myself to others and instead allow me to focus on the growth I need to get closer to You.

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