SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #395
" Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: 'O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)
THE NECESSITY OF HUMILITY: The chief lesson to be learnt from this parable is contained in the words with which our Lord concluded it: "Everyone that exalted himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Without humility there can be no forgiveness of sins, no grace, no future happiness. It is, therefore, an indispensable virtue. Even as pride lies at the root of all sin, so is humility the foundation of all true virtue. "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)
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