SATURDAY, March 26

Romans 3:19-31. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded.

Few of us would boast as brazenly as the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12 who thanked God that he was not like other people. Nobody likes a pompous jerk, so we try not to look like one. But even the faithful can entertain boastful thoughts in their hearts.

Some, like the Pharisee, simply think they’re more upstanding than others, particularly those whose lives have taken a bad turn and who are now unemployed, homeless, incarcerated, or sick as the result of bad life decisions. If only they’d worked harder or behaved better (as we did), they would now be living comfortably (as we are) and would deserve it (as we do).

Or perhaps we boast not of our good fortune but of our bad fortune: “No one has been treated as unfairly as I have, faced the obstacles I’ve faced, or suffered as I’ve suffered.” That’s a form of boasting, too—and such self-righteousness is tempting to martyrs.

Saint Paul says that all boasting is excluded because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (vs. 23). It’s not a matter of worthy people and unworthy people. All people are unworthy because God’s standard is ­absolute. And all “are now justified by his grace as a gift.” That’s a humbling thought.

PRAY for the Diocese of Morogoro (Tanzania)

Ps 75, 76 * 23, 27; Jeremiah 5:20-31; John 7:1-13

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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