Uprooting
Self-righteousness
Meditation
for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
(Hosea 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14)
In the gospel of today, Jesus warned against self-righteousness.
The self-righteous are those who trust in themselves that they are upright
and despise others. Such a person sees morality as competitive, comparative and
for to show off. A self-righteous person sees himself as the reference point,
from which he not only exalts himself, but mostly to condemn others. His
goodness is seen from the point of view of the failings of others! And he
expects reward for every good gesture since he qualifies himself before others.
Surely, such a person cannot genuinely accept corrections.
And surprisingly, he is sad to see others climbing higher on the ladder of
morality, for his joy and relevance is in the downfall of others. The weeds of
self-righteousness are rampant in the Lord’s vineyard. They are difficult to identify
because they often enjoy popular acclamation. However, we can perceive its
presence when one is quick or harsh in condemning others without mercy.
The beautiful parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
shows the emptiness and useless end of self-righteousness. To avoid such wasted
life, we are urged to learn from the humility of the tax collector, who bowed
his head and prayed to God, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” This man
found justification, not in himself or his works, but in God, who forgives
sins. Henceforth, he will choose God over and above himself and his desires. Every
good work he performs becomes the triumph of grace in his life (cf. Eph 2:8-9).
At the end Jesus says, “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but
he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Saturday March 26th, 2022.
