June 10, 2026

Gospel Reflection: Humiliation Fosters Humility

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Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

This statement would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. At that time, the scribes and Pharisees were well-known for their meticulous

observance of the Law of Moses, attending scrupulously to even the smallest details. They prided themselves on their strict adherence and often made their “righteousness” highly visible, earning them great respect among the people as models of holiness and fidelity to the covenant. However, their fidelity was often purely external, lacking the interior disposition of love and worship of God, which is the heart of the covenant. For this reason, Jesus spoke bluntly to the people, even in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees, declaring that their level of righteousness was insufficient to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Imagine the humiliation felt by these religious leaders. Jesus’ words would have stung deeply, confronting them with the inadequacy of their righteousness. Such a confrontation can lead to one of two responses: Either the sting of humiliation fosters the virtue of humility, repentance, and conversion, or it magnifies pride, leading to anger and rejection. While some of the scribes and Pharisees might have chosen the path of humility and repentance, the majority likely did not.

Jesus followed up this statement with a teaching on anger and how it can move from an interior disposition to severe hatred. While that teaching is important, it is also useful to pause and place ourselves in the shoes of the scribes and Pharisees, pondering how we would have reacted if we were them.

Many of them had spent their whole lives studying the Law, following it, and teaching others to do the same. When Jesus came along, He essentially told them that much of what they had been doing was worthless and fruitless because they were not following the will of God. Place yourself in their shoes.

Consider your ability—or inability—to endure the humiliation that those religious leaders felt. Imagine that you had put great time and effort into cultivating a particular moral and spiritual attitude and approach to your faith, only for Jesus to reveal that you have not been listening to God at all, but have gone astray from His will. Hearing such a holy rebuke would be painful and humiliating, requiring profound humility to accept. Imagine further that you listened to all that Jesus said to you. You felt the sting of wounded pride and self-righteousness, but you humbled yourself, repented, and began to change. When that happens, external humiliation produces internal humility and bears an abundance of good fruit. When it doesn’t happen, we reject the truth and become even more obstinate in our ways, allowing pride to harden our hearts further.

In truth, none of us is righteous enough to attain the Kingdom of Heaven by our own efforts. We all fall short of fulfilling God’s will and cooperating with His grace. The real question is not whether we need ongoing change, but whether we are willing to receive Jesus’ loving rebuke and change our ways.

Saint Faustina, in her Diary, stated, “O my Jesus, nothing is better for the soul than humiliations” (#593). Humiliations are a gift from God because they reveal our self-righteousness and pride, and invite us to rely more fully on His grace. The sting of having that pointed out is itself a humiliation, but that humiliation has the power to lead us to profound humility, repentance, and ultimately, holiness.

Reflect today on the many humbling truths God desires to reveal to you. Each humiliation, though painful, is a step on the path to true righteousness and holiness, drawing us closer to the Beatific Vision in Heaven. Only in Heaven will we be fully purified of every sin. Until that day, we must embrace every humiliation God allows, recognizing these painful truths as gifts that correct us, purify us, and set us firmly on the path to true righteousness.

Lord of all Truth, there are many truths I need to hear, even when they are difficult. Please humble me by speaking directly to my soul and revealing my sin. As You do, grant me the grace to listen with an open heart and respond generously to Your call. Jesus, I trust in You.

Audio recording: https://youtu.be/W8lfD-LI5wc?si=6_IG7Qzr835BCjuF