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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

We all can feel like we are just better than someone else. We can all fall victim to that method of thinking. I know that I have fallen victim to this way of thinking many times in my life. I have been that Pharisee before to where I saw myself as being better than someone else. I would say, well at least I am better than that person. At lease I don’t, insert whatever situation you can think of here……

Each and every one of us is unique. Each and every one of us comes from a unique situation, background, and social status. That does not mean we can not sympathize with someone, or have a similar story, but all in all, we are all unique. We have to remember that not any one of us is better than the other. We all have our own situations and lessons that we are going through, learning, and struggling to figure out. We have to remember that, no situation we are going through is more important than ours. It is so easy to compare our situations to others, in order to make ourselves feel better. We have to remember not to be so prideful that we forget our own situations.

Father, help me to relinquish my worldly pride, and to shine in the light of your love. Help me to bring that light to others, and be there to serve them in their times of need rather than look down upon them. Amen.