HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 15.07.2020.

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Readings: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16; Psalm 94 and Matthew 11:25-27. 


ARE WE ARROGANT OR HUMBLE PEOPLE? 

 

Humility is the greatest quality we can have as a person and arrogance is undoubtedly the worst, it is unhealthy ego in need of repair. This virtue and vice cuts across the readings of today as we commemorate the memorial of St. Bonaventure, an outstanding theologian, born in Tuscany in 1218, known as ‘the Seraphic Doctor’ with his theological works and exceptional spirituality. He died as a Bishop and Doctor of the Church in 1274.


The gospel indicates the humble nature of Christ as he prays to His Father, “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden this things from the wise and understanding and have revealed them to infants (children).” As Son, Christ knows only what his Father reveals within him; and he is commissioned to share this great revelation with others  he called “Infants,” which are also known as “children,” who are continuously begotten by God through faith. There is an important difference in the way that the Son knows the Father, and the way we may know Him. We know God the Father because He stoops low to us to make Himself known. God the Son knows God the Father because they are equal in nature, completely compatible with one another. We may be prompt to ask, what is the mystery, known only by children, and especially by the most beloved of them, Jesus Christ? To know oneself as child is to realize our total dependence, our state of being begotten and receptive of life.

 

Parents that are caring, find a loving way to guide and discipline their children. This is clear in the first reading of today. According to the prophet Isaiah, God said, “Ah Assyria, the rod of my anger, the staff of my fury!” The rod and the staff were sticks used by shepherds to guide and correct their sheep. God is saying that Assyria was like a stick in His hand, used to correct Syria, Israel, and Judah and restore them to just and moral living. The Lord had earlier revealed in chapter 7-10 that He would use Assyria as an instrument of judgment against these nations. Though the Assyrians were wicked, yet the Lord could use them as rod of his anger. When Assyria began to boast saying, “By the strength of my hand I have done it,” and interferes with God’s plans, this “rod” will be discarded. The message became clearer when Isaiah asked, “Shall the axe vaunt or boast itself over him who hews with it or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?”

 

In a nutshell, the lessons driven from today’s readings is to remain humble and open to God’s direction. Being boastful or arrogant will close more doors than it opens. Stay humble! We pray through the intercession of St. Bonaventure that God will help us not to be proud or arrogant with the gifts we have received from Him but use it in humble service for the good of the Church through Christ our Lord, Amen! Peace be with you!


Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ

Location: Papalanto, Nigeria

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