Universal Utterings

for October 26, 2025

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10-26-2025 Luke 18 0914 Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled

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The Gospel of Luke Chapter 18 Verse 9 thru 14

9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In Luke 18:9-14, we encounter the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—two figures that represent contrasting attitudes toward God and righteousness. The Pharisee stands in the temple, proud and self-righteous, reciting his religious accomplishments and moral superiority. In his eyes, he is justified, boasting of his good deeds and looking down upon others, particularly the tax collector nearby. Conversely, the tax collector, fully aware of his unworthiness, stands at a distance, beating his chest and humbly pleading for mercy.

This parable powerfully illustrates the essence of true humility, a quality that is indispensable for receiving God’s salvation. The tax collector's genuine remorse and humility lead him to seek God’s grace, while the Pharisee’s arrogance blinds him to his need for divine mercy. In a world that often equates success with self-promotion and boasting, this passage reminds us that true understanding and the life of God come from a posture of humility.

To live in true humility is to acknowledge our limitations and our need for God’s mercy. True humility encourages us to abandon the need to elevate our own status through comparison or self-righteous claims. It opens our hearts and minds to the profound wisdom that surpasses human understanding; a wisdom that teaches us compassion, empathy, and the grace that God freely offers to all who seek Him.

As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this humility not just in moments of prayer or reflection, but in every aspect of our lives. It's in the quiet moments, the interactions with others, and our responses to life’s challenges that true humility shines through. When we embrace our vulnerability and depend on God, we cultivate a relationship that transforms not just ourselves but the world around us. May we remember, always, that it is in our humility that God’s true life and salvation flow freely into our lives and the lives of others. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. Novena day Five for the repose of the soul of Jeff Hagin. RIP. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

10-26-2025 Luke 18 0914

**Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled**

In the temple's quiet space, they stand,

One, the righteous, with a proud demand,

A Pharisee speaks of his lofty deeds,

While casting judgment on others' needs.

"Thank You, Lord, I am not like the rest,"

He boasts of fasting and his piety expressed,

Yet, in his heart, a veil of evil pride,

Blinds him to grace, where humility hides.

The tax collector, burdened and meek,

From the shadows, his broken heart speaks,

“God, be merciful, I know my sin,

In Your compassion, let true life begin.”

For those who are humble, the promise is clear,

The least shall be lifted, God's love drawing near,

In humility's embrace, true wisdom is found,

In the heart's quiet whisper, grace's glory abounds. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

October 26, 2025 @ 04:44 AM EST

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