HOMILY FOR FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. 05.07.2020.

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 144:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9-13 and Matthew 11:25-30. 

EMBRACING HUMILITY

There is a spiritual virus called pride, it eats up every possibility of love, or contentment or even common sense and finally ruin our lives. While this virus gradually ruin our lives, todays liturgy presents to us an antivirus called humility to combat against this deadly virus. The Church’s invites us in a special way to reflect on Christ’ humility and his option for the poor, which is necessary in our journey of faith. 

The first reading prefigures of the humility of Christ who is to come. The reading raises the hope of those who are humble of heart and poor in spirit when it says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion…behold your king comes…humble and riding on a donkey.” This prophecy of Zachariah is what is known as the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem as the Messiah (Matthew 21:5). It was a procession that seemed pretty humble, and this showed that Christ was a different kind of King. If He who is our Lord and God is humble enough to ride a donkey, why are we so proud of ourselves, and the material things we have or positions that we occupy? We are so good in condemning others that have elements of pride in them and when people compliments us that we are free from it, we feel as proud as the Lucifer himself. These are feelings that unconsciously comes when we take these compliment to be justifiable. Some of us are so experienced, so knowledgeable, so versatile, and so free from self-confidence that we are the first to be caught in the net of self-satisfaction. This reading calls us to reflect in what we have and are; that in all, humility is a core mark in our lives as Christians, so we must pray to God to make us humble.

In a similar vein, Christ in the gospel reveals himself to the humble of heart, and if we must serve him, we must humble ourselves like Christ our Lord. This is what Christ meant when he said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants…” If we humble ourselves, he will reveal the secrets of his kingdom to us. He further invites us saying, “Come to me all who are labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly of heart.” This invitation is not for the proud hearted, because they hardly realize that they are overburdened or need help. Rather, it is for the simple and humble of heart, who are fast to recognize their need for God’s intervention in their life. It is an invitation for those who are truly seeking the face of God and are ready to surrender to His will.  

While we strive for the virtue of humility, St. Paul in the second reading reminds us of the need to live in the spirit. To live in the Spirit is to live in Christ who is the epitome of humility, the one who is God, count no equality with God but accepted the nature of man. If we do not live by the Spirit, we automatically live by the flesh, which is contrary to the Spirit and produces pride. The flesh is attached to materialism while the Spirit raises our minds to things that are celestial. 

Dear friends in Christ, today we are reminded of who we are, we are in the world but we are not of the world, we are not in the flesh, we are in the Spirit, for the Spirit of God dwells with and within us. Therefore, we must combat against pride and embrace humility. Christ invites us to come to him, to cast our burden on him and to learn from him who is gentle and humble of heart. He does not complicate our life; he makes it clearer and simpler. May God help us to be gentle and humble of heart through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Ken Dogb, OSJ