Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk       

  14^th Sunday of the Year – July 9, 2017

Readings: Zec. 9:9-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1-2.8-9.10-11.13cd-14(R.1);

 Rom 8:9-11-13 & Gospel Matthew 11:25-30.

Theme: God Favours the Humble!

Introduction

Dearly beloved in Christ, on this Sunday, our liturgy calls us to reflect on why and how God favours the humble. In order to achieve that, we must pay more attention to the words of Jesus in the gospel namely:  “I bless you Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and clever and revealing them to mere children…” (Matthew 11:25). From time immemorial, God shows preference to the meek and the weak. Indeed, he is a humble God. Little wonder the first reading (Zec. 9:9-10) reveals him as a humble King who comes on a donkey. We shall try to under understand why Jesus would hide the secrets of the kingdom from the “learned.”

Why Jesus Hides the Secrets of the Kingdom from the “Learned”

1. The “Learned” relay on Knowledge: The “learned” often deepen too much on knowledge especially when it comes to the secrets of the kingdom. While it is true that reason has a place in accessing theological truths, it is equally true that the “learned” often fall victims of either questioning or doubting doctrinal teachings. The truth is, you can be a Professor of Law but a neophyte in matters of the faith. As it stands, many “learned” men and women of our time are intellectual giants and yet spiritual dwarfs. This makes it difficult for them to access the secrets of the kingdom.

2. The “Learned” have little time for God: While there is an exception to any rule, we must acknowledge the fact that the “learned” too often have no or little time for God. In their attempt to satisfy their curiosity they pursue mundane interests and have little time to worship God. Compare the number of the unlearned and the “learned” who give their time, treasure and talent in the service of God in our parishes?

3. The “Learned” view the earth as their heritage: There is a sense in which the “learned” comfort themselves with the temporal order. This blocks their view of accessing the secrets of the kingdom. By amassing the wealth of knowledge, the “learned” often drift into thinking that heaven exists in the human intellect which dwells within the temporal order. As such, this prevents them from realizing the spiritual order.

4. The “Learned” are Proud:  One of the greatest albatrosses of the “learned” is pride. Too often, the tendency that one has arrived in terms of reaching the apex of knowledge puts one in a position to easily look down on others or rely on one’s human prowess. It is important to note that this pompous attitude does not only affect their interaction with others but stands in the way of the divine since they rely on hard work as a consequence of their knowledge.

Conversely, Jesus insists that he has decided to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. It is important to note that “mere children” here represents the meek and the humble. As it were, Jesus champions an option for the humble. We shall discover why and how.

Why God reveals the Mysteries of the Kingdom to “Mere children”/The Humble

1. The Humble Rely on God: While the “learned” rely on knowledge, the humble rely on God. This is why God reveals the mysteries of the kingdom to them. The word of God makes it abundant clear that God favours the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 & Proverbs 3:34).

2. The Humble have time for God:” Whether they are learned or not, the humble have time for God. They deliberately choose to use their time, talent and resources (even if scare) in the service of God. Parishioners who are at the beg and call of the Church; who spend out their lives running around to see that everything falls in the place in the parish fall within this category. Since they have time for God, God has time for them – Notice how God blesses them – Most children of the cooks and stewards in our ecclesiastical institutions have become priests, religious and catechists courtesy of God’s blessings upon their families.

3. The Humble view the earth as a market place: The humble often view the world as a market place. No one goes to market and sleeps there. Analogously, the world will pass away – with this realisation, the humble seek for ways of deepening their relationship with God so as to attain eternal life. If the humble realize that Christ has gone to prepare a place of them in heaven (John 14:2 & 3), it shows that God would not hesitate to further reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to them.

4. The Humble are disposed to meekness: Humility entails simplicity and an inner disposition to obey instructions. Why would God not reveal the secrets of heaven to those who predispose themselves to simplicity of life and obeying his commandments?

Homiletic Quotes to Remember:

1. God favours the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 & Proverbs 3:34).

2. This poor man called, the Lord heard him (Psalm 34:6).

3. Until we are nothing, God cannot make something out of us – Martin Luther.

4. God calls the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).

5. God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called – Mark Batterson.

6. God does not call the fit, he fits the called – Joyce Vick.

 

Conclusion

Our liturgy calls us to follow Jesus in childlike trust. Pursuing human knowledge is good but the knowledge of the kingdom is better. At the end of time, it is not high sounding theological abstractions that would save us. What will be required would be the simple Penny Catechism answer of: Why did God create you? This is why the second reading says, our interests must be in the spiritual (Rom 8:9). The knowledge of the kingdom we are talking about consists of bearing the qualms and troubles of this life in patient humility. Jesus insists that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

I would like to end with this story: A little boy carried his crippled elder brother on his back while going to school. Some group of children who saw them started making jest of them. In fact, one of them couldn’t hold it but said, “What a burden he is carrying!” The little boy replied the taunter: “He is not a burden, he is my brother.” In the same manner, when we fall in love with Jesus, the trials, tribulations and temptations of this world become a sweet yoke to shoulder. Have a blessed week ahead!