October 26, 2025: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God hears the prayers of those who are poor and lowly in a powerful way.  Like the tax collector in the parable of the Gospel reading, they have the humility to recognize who God is and who they are, and how they are not God.  So they open themselves up and are truly receptive to how God fills them.  The Pharisee praises Himself in prayer, and has not made room for God.

Humility is an important virtue for us, the faithful, so we can remember God is God and we are not, and that God alone can meet our needs.  With humility, we position ourselves to rely on God.

Certainly, St. Paul relied on God through his life's difficulties, and was confident that God would bring him safely to His Heavenly Kingdom.  As he neared the end of his life, St. Paul recognized that, reliant on God, he had fought the Good Fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, fixed on God.  He would then receive a reward for being faithful.

We can join with him and all the saints in the great reward of Heaven by constantly striving faithfully in this life, fixing ourselves on God.