SUNDAY OCTOBER 27, 2019

 - THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Gospel - Lk 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
 and despised everyone else.
 "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
 but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

2631 The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and with one another, so that “we receive from him whatever we ask.” Asking forgiveness is the prerequisite for both the Eucharistic liturgy and personal prayer.

From “Door to Heaven” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (DH-11:7)

7) If you look at your own sins, you will observe your own misery instead of seeking justice or compensation. I love to teach you; you do not love unconditionally and do not understand the mystery of My love. You want to be blessed and saved without undergoing purification and self-mortification. You do not want to work, but want to

be revered. My Father does not bestow His graces upon the proud, but upon the humble! To be revered, you will be accused, and you must first achieve humility, which is what destroys evil and is the enemy of sin.

Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina.  Pay special attention to the italicized sections.  This week we are taught that the prerequisite of being exalted is to be humble. We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.