30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C - Two Men Went To Pray & “Pilgrims of Hope” & “Immaculate Mary”

Friends, two Sundays ago, Jesus Christ praised the leper who returned to give THANKS after he was healed. Last Sunday, Jesus presented the persistent widow as an example of praying with CONSTANCY and CONSISTENCY. This weekend, in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (or Tax Collector), Jesus shows us that prayer must be from a HUMBLE disposition.

A Christian is a WITNESS. This means actively proclaiming and professing Christ in humility. It means becoming Christ’s representatives on earth. If we’re unable to humble ourselves and treat everyone fairly, we cannot properly communicate the Gospel. The readings of this weekend emphasize this by highlighting the fact that God, being fair and just, ‘…does not show respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.’ This is why God hears the prayer of the LOWLY one. And although two men came into the Church to pray in the Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), only the lowly Publican went down to God’s house justified rather than the Pharisee,’ for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but those who humbles themselves will be exalted.

Humility makes pleasant to God the perfume of human spirituality. In humility, we truly recognize our state and condition as mortal men and women, human beings created after the image and likeness of God. In humility, we realize how much we are in need of God and that outside His love and mercy, we are empty and devoid of any meaningful content. Nothing is more endearing to God than a humble soul.

May You, O Lord, create within us a humble spirit and contrite heart. Amen.

A pilgrim is a humble soul as their journey is one of self-reflection and surrender, not one of control or ego. A pilgrim is willing to be open to new experiences, let go of past burdens, and live with a sense of gratitude and openness to being transformed by the journey itself. In honor of the readings this weekend, we’d like to share our latest video, “Pilgrims of Hope”, the Official Hymn of the 2025 Jubilee Year, a celebration that calls the world to faith, unity, and renewal.

This hymn was chosen from over 270 entries worldwide. Inspired by Isaiah’s prophetic visions, the hymn speaks of creation’s renewal, God’s tenderness, and the living flame of hope that guides the faithful through life’s pilgrimage toward divine light and peace.

Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.