THE WORD OF THE LORD

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 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.”