Jesus very clearly states in this Gospel passage of the Pharisee and the tax collector that humility is paramount to our relationship with God, and, ultimately, to our salvation. The true meaning of humility, however, has been misunderstood throughout the ages. Humility is not self-deprecation, such as calling oneself “worthless” and “undeserving.” None of us are deserving of God’s goodness and love—none of us. God’s graces and goodness, spring out of love for us all—a generosity that is immeasurable. All of creation is alive and blossoming because of God’s immense goodness. So, humility first begins with truth: the recognition of God’s immense generosity; we are alive, as are all the created alive because of God’s great gift of life to us all. Psalm 96:12 says: “Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.”
Creation is alive because of God—a truth, many do not recognize. But we do. So did the tax collector. He recognized this truth and the painful truth that he was a sinner. He was a traitor to his people and, ultimately, to God because he collected Roman taxes for the occupiers of Israel and, typically, a little extra for himself—his payoff. He was a collaborator to the invader, the oppressor of God’s chosen people. The tax collector, however, recognized the truth of his sin. Thus, he repented before God by recognizing his treachery and, in so doing, relied on the truth of God’s mercy—God’s love. Whereas the Pharisee congratulated himself. Self cannot save itself, only God saves. True humility is recognizing this truth.