Father Jim begins by discussing the decline in young people’s mental health and identifies 2010—not 2020—as a major turning point. Drawing on Jonathan Haidt’s research, he explains that two major events that year changed the world: the release of the iPhone 4 with a front-facing camera and the launch of Instagram. These innovations made constant self-photography and online comparison a normal part of life. While social media allows connection, it also fuels comparison, insecurity, and envy, especially among young people who spend hours scrolling through idealised images of others.
Father Jim connects this modern problem with Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee’s pride and self-comparison lead him to boast before God, while the tax collector humbly acknowledges his sin and asks for mercy. Jesus praises the humility of the tax collector, showing that true righteousness comes not from comparing ourselves to others but from an honest relationship with God.
Father Jim warns that comparison leads to vanity or envy, both of which harm the soul. Vanity is focused on external image; pride is interior and more destructive because it distorts our sense of self before God. The remedy is humility—recognising our imperfection yet knowing we are “loved sinners.”
He concludes that God’s love defines our worth, not social status or appearance. When we stop comparing ourselves and stand before God honestly—acknowledging our flaws and seeking His mercy—we discover our true identity as good, beautiful, and deeply loved children of God.
Journal and reflect on the following
How has social media shaped the way you see yourself and others?
Do you find yourself comparing your life to what you see online?
Why do you think comparison often leads to feelings of envy or pride? How can you recognise when it’s happening in your own life?
What can we learn from the tax collector’s humility in Jesus’ parable? How does his simple prayer, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner,” show strength rather than weakness?
What’s the difference between vanity and pride? Which do you think is more common in today’s culture, and why?
How does remembering that you are a “loved sinner” change the way you think about yourself and others?
When have you felt God’s mercy helping you grow or become a better person? What did you learn from that experience?
If God alone defines your worth, how might that change the way you live, post, and interact with others online and in person?
Discuss
Song - Lookup Child
Final Prayer
Loving God, You created us in Your image and call us to see ourselves through Your eyes, not through the eyes of the world. Free us from the trap of comparison, from pride that blinds and envy that steals our peace. Teach us the humility of the tax collector who turned to You with an honest heart, trusting in Your mercy. Help us to know that we are deeply loved, even in our imperfections, and that our worth is found not in our appearance or achievements but in being Your beloved children. May Your grace shape our hearts, quiet our insecurities, and guide us to live with gratitude, authenticity, and compassion toward others. Amen.
