Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
14th 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?
