Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 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.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” LK 18:1-9
Look at the heroes of the Gospel. Which is similar to you? Do you have so much humility as a tax collector? Ask God for the grace of humility. God loves the humble of heart:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Ps 34:19
Similarly, writes St. Faustina:
True greatness of the soul is in loving God and in humility. (Saint Faustina Kowalska)
Lord Jesus, make my heart full of humility and humiliation!