The Power of a Humble Heart
The readings this Sunday invite us to look deeply at what it means to come before God with a humble heart. The Book of Ecclesiasticus reminds us that the prayer of the humble “pierces the clouds”. God listens to the cries of the poor, the broken, and those who call on Him with sincerity. Saint Paul, in his letter to Timothy, reflects on his own life of faith, a life poured out for God, trusting completely that the Lord will rescue him and lead him to eternal life. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing us that true righteousness is not about boasting of our goodness, but about standing before God in honesty and humility.
I was reminded of this recently during a simple moment at work. Each morning, a few of us begin our day with a coffee catch-up. One morning, as we were leaving, I saw another colleague and invited him to join us. He smiled and politely declined. Then he quietly came up to me and said he was fasting. His friend had just lost his job, and he was fasting and praying that his friend would soon find work again. I was moved by his quiet act of love and faith, no grand gestures, no attention-seeking, just a humble prayer offered from the heart.
That moment reminded me of the tax collector in the Gospel, standing before God not to impress others, but to ask for mercy. My colleague’s simple act was a prayer that “pierced the clouds,” just as today’s readings describe. It was a living example of faith in action, putting others before oneself, trusting that God listens to every prayer offered in love.
This Sunday, as we listen to these readings, may we be inspired to pray with the same humility and trust. Whether our prayers are for ourselves or for others, God hears them all. And like the humble man in the Gospel, we too will find peace and grace when we come before God with a sincere and loving heart.
Ajith Nissangaratchie
Parish Pastoral Council Chair
