By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted October 24, 2025

(See the readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Peter Kreeft in his book “Prayer for Beginners” writes:

“Some say that prayer, and ‘the spiritual life,’ or ‘the inner life,’ or the soul’s private love affair with God, is an unaffordable luxury today, or an irresponsible withdrawal from the pressing public problems of our poor, hurting world. I say just the opposite: that nothing, nothing is more relevant and responsible; that nothing else can ever cure our sick world except saints, and saints are never made except by prayer.

“Nothing but saints can save our world because the deepest root of all the world’s diseases is sin, and saints are the antibodies that fight sin. Nothing but prayer can make saints because nothing but God can make saints, and we meet God in prayer. Prayer is the hospital for souls where we meet Doctor God. (Ignatius Press, 2000, 14).”

Meeting God in prayer, we allow Him to work His healing grace on us, transforming us day by day into the persons He made us to be. Jesus’ parable of the pharisee and the tax collector in this Sunday’s Gospel passage offers us an insight to a proper disposition in prayer.

The story contrasts the attitude of the two characters as they enter into prayer. The first is consumed by himself. He seeks affirmation for himself. While he observes the laws and rules it seems superficial as he uses these behaviors to judge himself favorably when compared to others, in this case the tax collector. The second approaches God with humility, contrition and brokenness. He is aware that he is a sinner. He is attuned to his need for help. He is cognizant that God alone can help him. He is penitent and open to God’s merciful love.

When Jesus compares the two, He says: “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.”

Fundamental to a fruitful life of prayer is the manner in which we approach prayer. In other words, how do we see ourselves in relationship with God? Who is it to whom we pray? Why do we seek His ear? What is it that we are ultimately looking for through prayer?

Humility is a necessary and fundamental attitude within which we open our hearts to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. Jesus stresses the importance of humility throughout the Gospel. For example, He begins the beatitudes with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” This poverty of spirit is being humble before God. The tax collector has this humility as he approaches the Lord in prayer.

The humble person enters into his or her prayer with a recognition that they depend on God, they know they need Him for life, they are aware of His graciousness and mercy, and they are open to receiving them. Sirach reflects on the prayer of the lowly (humble) in these words: “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.”

Entering into prayer with humility opens the door for God’s transforming grace to lead us from vice to virtue, from despair to hope, and from darkness to light. But also from joy to joy, from peace to peace and from grace to grace.

St. Paul reflects on his life as it nears its end in the passage from the Second Letter to Timothy in the second reading for Sunday’s liturgy. Here he says: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”

On the surface one might think, “that does not sound too humble.” Yet as we continue reading, we hear him say that the Lord is the source of all the good he has done and the source of his strength to bear witness. He writes: “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

In another passage, from Galatians, Paul’s humility is once again stressed when he says: “… yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Perhaps an analogy can help us better understand humility in our relationship with God. Coaches on all levels from pee-wee to the major leagues prefer humble athletes. I did a search on the internet and here are some of the reasons why. Number one is that the humble are more coachable. They want to be better players and to do so they need to be coached. They are open to feedback, they acknowledge their weaknesses and they trust the process. They prioritize the team by sharing credit, they are unselfish and they value their role on the team.  They foster good relationships on the team by demonstrating respect for all the players. And they are more dependable, resilient and have more consistent effort.

Many of us can relate to this either as coaches or players. We see the effects of humility. The same analogy can be used for the classroom, the concert hall and in business. Anywhere where coaching or mentoring are in place humility is the base quality that makes all the difference in the effectiveness of the coach/player; teacher/student; mentor/mentored relationship and by analogy our relationship with the Lord in prayer.

Prayer is the path to heaven. In prayer we follow the Good Shepherd who leads us on the way. In prayer He teaches and encourages, corrects and instructs, admonishes and forgives, strengthens and heals. Jesus reminds us that humility is an essential element in our prayer for it is an essential element in our relationship with God. And so, when we go to prayer we go with the attitude of the humble tax collector and say: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, a sinner.”

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Joseph Prior here.