An Attitude Of Thanksgiving To God

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

October 27, 2025

in Spritual Growth

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October 27, 2025

Readings: Jeremiah 14:1-10, 19-22
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Luke 18:9-14

20h Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025 Homily – Abp. Hines

It has been said that when the people of God gather together, it is either in a church or inside a home, where He is given honor. And teaching is an integral part of worship unto God. However, it is so unfortunate that there are those who think they don’t need Him. In reality, we do need Him, and we must lean on God. Jesus had a kind of wisdom far above everyone else’. When He spoke to the people, He often uses parables. In Luke 18, His parable was actually referring to the church. In Jewish tradition, prayers were offered three times a day; 9, 12 and 6. People at that time had to walk to the temple, the House of God. For them. It was such a spiritual significance. We are even more blessed now that Jesus is with us at all times.

Jesus stresses the importance of prayer. In the Gospel today, we see a Pharisee, who was considered an elite. He was dressed in the best of linen and fine clothes, and he was a show-off and wanted people to pay their attention on him every time he appeared. He enjoyed going to the very front of the temple and pray aloud. But then his prayer was centered all around him. He was praying to himself, boasting about what he has done. He actually wasn’t wrong in the good deeds he had been doing, but his attitude was wrong. It was all directed at himself. Many times, we are caught doing the same things. We boast in our achievements by telling God what we have done, and we have not given Him the credit at all. In truth. we should be thanking God. Our attitude should be that of thanksgiving to God.

Now there was this publican, who was aware that he was a nobody. He was humble and he expressed to God, “have mercy on me, for I am a sinner.” The Pharisee on the other hand was self-righteous, and it was as if he was telling God, “Look at me. I have done this, and I have done that, I fast twice a week, I give all my tithes. I’m better than the others.” He was so arrogant, so sure of himself. Today’s church is composed of many different people. Some are self-righteous, believing in themselves too much, and there are those who are humble, who always acknowledge God to be their help. We live in a world today who think we can do everything by ourselves without needing God. He gave us food and vegetation for us to have nourishment in our bodies.

The Pharisee would boast on the way he was tithing. When he was fasting, he would go to the marketplace where there were many people who would see him. We cannot hide things from God. He knows our intentions. He knows the deep secrets in our hearts. Jesus said, this man (referring to the Publican) went home justified. Scriptures tell us that whoever exalts himself will be humbled. But he who is humble shall be exalted. God gives us grace and ability to do all things. It is His ability in us.

2 Timothy 4:7-8. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Our source is God. Our strength comes from Him. We have nothing to boast about but boast in the Lord. Our attitude should always be that of thanksgiving. always acknowledging His love for us.