How often do we hear ourselves say “I”? “I accomplished this.” “I fixed that.” “I am better.”
But during Lent, the Church invites us to examine the spiritual danger hidden behind the constant focus on oneself.

A powerful lesson comes from the Gospel according to Saint Luke (18:9–14), in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Jesus addresses this parable to those “convinced of their own righteousness and who despised others,” revealing how pride blinds the soul, while humility opens the heart to grace.

1. Two Prayers, Two Hearts

In the temple, two men stand before God:

The Pharisee

He prays about himself, not to God:

  • “I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity.”
  • “I fast twice a week.”
  • “I give tithes.”
  • “I… I… I…”

His prayer becomes a litany of self‑exaltation. Even before God, he speaks only of his own merits, as though salvation were an achievement rather than a gift.

The Tax Collector

Standing at a distance, he does not dare raise his eyes to heaven.
He beats his breast and prays:

“O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

His prayer contains no self‑praise, no defense, no justification—only truth, humility, and trust in God’s mercy.

Jesus declares that the humble man, not the self‑righteous one, goes home justified.
Why?
Because “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

2. The Spiritual Danger of “I”

This parable offers us an examination of conscience:

  • How often do we recount our virtues as if they were our own creation?
  • How often do we compare ourselves to others, silently declaring ourselves superior?
  • How often do we even approach prayer with a subtle pride—presenting our deeds rather than presenting our hearts?

Everything we possess—our gifts, our talents, our successes—is first received from God.
Nothing is our own except our sins.

Pride begins with a constant focus on “I.”
Humility begins when “I” steps aside and God becomes the center.

3. A Lenten Invitation: Cancel the “I”

During this sacred season, the Church calls us to:

  • Silence self‑promotion
  • Surrender self‑reliance
  • Renounce self‑exaltation

Lent is the perfect time to practice “canceling the I”—not to deny our identity, but to purify it. When we stop glorifying ourselves, we make room to glorify God.

Try it intentionally this Lent:

  • In conversations, speak less of “what I did”
  • In prayer, focus not on achievements but on God’s mercy
  • In trials, resist the temptation to center the narrative on the self
  • In successes, direct all praise to God

Humility is not self‑hatred; it is self‑forgetfulness rooted in love.

4. A Prayer for This Lent

May the Lord grant us the grace to pray like the tax collector:

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

With the intercession of Mary Most Holy, may this simple prayer transform our hearts—removing pride, deepening humility, and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ, who emptied Himself for our salvation.

Meditation taken and adapted from Daily Gospel Meditations by the Heralds.