Do as I say. Do as I do.

In today’s Gospel from the Mass (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus teaches a lesson in humility and obedience that He lives out:

 [9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus not only talks the talk, He walks the walk:

• In this parable, Jesus exposes the false righteousness of the Pharisees and the truth of repentance and the reliance of the mercy of God of the tax collector.
• Jesus points out that “for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
• This is a Truth, like all Truths, that Jesus not only teaches but lives out.
• Jesus, the Perfection of Man through His Divinity, has no sin, He has no fault.  And yet, even He, the Son of God, is willing to be humbled, dying on the Cross.  And true to this very parable, in the Resurrection He is exalted above all creatures.

We should take great comfort and be awed by our Lord, who not only descends to teach us through words, but also by the Divine Demonstration of what He does.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!