Catholic Homily for October 26, 2025
God Listens to the Small Now
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18 / 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 / Luke 18:9–14
Have you ever noticed how parents can hear their baby crying even in a noisy room? Or how you can pick out your name being called across a crowded space?
Today’s readings tell us something beautiful: God has special hearing for the prayers of people who are small, forgotten, or in need. He doesn’t play favorites based on wealth or status, but He does have a tender spot for those who cry out from genuine need and honest hearts.
The first reading from the Book of Sirach gives us a clear picture of how God listens to prayers:
“The Lord shows no favorites. He does not ignore the cry of the poor. He does not forget the orphan or the widow.”
What This Means:
God Doesn’t Care About Your Status:
- It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor
- It doesn’t matter if you’re important or unknown
- What matters is that you come to Him honestly
God Pays Special Attention to the Forgotten:
- The poor – people who struggle financially
- The orphan – children who don’t have parents to protect them
- The widow – women who have lost their husbands and may feel alone and vulnerable
“Their prayer pierces the clouds.”
When people in need pray honestly to God, their prayers go straight to His heart. Nothing stops them – not distance, not status, not anything.
Paul: Standing Strong When Everyone Leaves
In the second reading, St. Paul is writing what might be his final letter. He’s facing death, and he reflects on his life:
“My life is being poured out like a drink offering. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
Paul isn’t bragging here. He’s acknowledging that God helped him stay faithful through many difficulties.
“When all deserted him, the Lord stood by him and gave him strength.”
Even Paul, the great apostle, had times when he felt abandoned by friends. But in those moments, he discovered something wonderful: God was still there.
The Key Lesson:
- Even when people let us down, God doesn’t
- God becomes our defender when we feel defenseless
- God gives strength to those who feel weak
The Gospel: Two Men, Two Prayers, Two Results
Jesus tells a story that perfectly illustrates today’s theme. Two men go to the temple to pray:
The Pharisee: The Religious Show-Off
His Prayer:
“God, I thank you that I am not like other people – thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
What’s Wrong with This Prayer:
- He compares himself to others to make himself look better
- He boasts about his good deeds as if he earned God’s favor
- He looks down on the tax collector standing nearby
- He doesn’t actually ask God for anything because he thinks he doesn’t need anything
The Tax Collector: The Honest Sinner
His Prayer:
“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
What’s Right with This Prayer:
- He admits his need for God’s mercy
- He doesn’t compare himself to anyone else
- He’s completely honest about his condition
- He asks for what he truly needs – forgiveness
Jesus’ Shocking Conclusion:
“The tax collector went home justified (made right with God). The Pharisee went home with himself.”
Here,
- The humble sinner went home with God’s blessing
- The proud religious man went home alone, despite all his good deeds
Understanding True Humility
Jesus isn’t saying that good deeds are bad, or that we should feel terrible about ourselves.
What Humility Actually Means:
It’s NOT:
- Denying the good things we do
- Thinking we’re worthless
- Putting ourselves down all the time
It IS:
- Admitting that any good we do comes from God’s grace
- Recognizing that we need God’s help and mercy
- Placing ourselves where God can lift us up
Humble people don’t think less of themselves – they think about themselves less. They’re too busy being grateful to God and caring for others to spend time comparing and competing.
Three Movements of True Prayer
Based on today’s readings, here’s a simple pattern for honest prayer:
1. Look Up: God is Holy and Faithful
- Remember who God is – loving, powerful, faithful
- Acknowledge His goodness in your life
- Trust that He hears you and cares about you
Example: “God, you are good and you love me. You’ve been faithful to me even when I haven’t been faithful to you.”
2. Look In: I am Needy and Forgiven
- Be honest about your struggles and mistakes
- Admit where you need help and healing
- Ask for mercy and strength
Example: “I’ve made mistakes this week. I’ve been selfish and impatient. Please forgive me and help me do better.”
3. Look Out: My Neighbor is a Gift, Not a Rival
- Pray for other people instead of comparing yourself to them
- Ask God to help you serve others
- See other people as God sees them – beloved children who deserve compassion
Example: “Help me to love my family, friends, and even difficult people better. Show me how to serve others today.”
A Simple Challenge for Today
Pray the Tax Collector’s Prayer:
“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Say this simple prayer honestly, and then see how it changes your day.
Act with Paul’s Courage and Sirach’s Justice:
Stand by Someone Weak:
- Be there for someone who feels alone
- Defend someone who can’t defend themselves
- Encourage someone who is struggling
Repair a Wrong:
- Apologize for something you did wrong
- Fix a mistake you made
- Make things right with someone you’ve hurt
Give Quietly:
- Help someone without telling anyone about it
- Give money, time, or kindness without expecting recognition
- Let your generosity be between you and God
The Great Promise
Jesus ends His parable with a principle that changes everything:
“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
What This Means:
- If we spend our lives trying to look better than others, we’ll end up empty
- If we’re honest about our need for God, He’ll lift us up
- True greatness comes from serving, not from being served
Living It Out Today
Let Our Prayer Be Honest:
- No pretending to be perfect
- No comparing ourselves to others
- Just honest conversation with a God who loves us
Let Our Hope Be in Christ:
- Trust that Jesus has already paid for our sins
- Believe that God’s mercy is bigger than our mistakes
- Know that our worth comes from being God’s children, not from our performance
Let Our Lives Be Poured Out in Love:
- Like Paul, spend our lives serving others
- Like the tax collector, stay humble and grateful
- Like the forgotten people in Sirach, trust that God hears our prayers
A Simple Prayer for Today
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Thank you for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. Help me to be humble like the tax collector, courageous like Paul, and compassionate toward the forgotten people around me. Let my life be poured out in love for you and others. Amen.
Remember this God doesn’t need you to be perfect to love you. He just needs you to be honest. Come to Him today with whatever you’re carrying – He’s listening, and He cares.
❤️ Thank You dear friend, hope this reflections touched you. 🙏 Please do not forget to share with your loved ones this october 26 homily.
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