First Reading: Ex 3:1-6. 9-12; Psalm: 103 R. v. 8a; Gospel: Mt 11:25-27

HUMBLE LISTENING

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Jesus thanks his Father for hiding the mysteries of the kingdom from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. This was a way of rebuking the intellectual pride of the religious leaders of his time who were indisposed to learn from him. It was commoners and unlearned men of the people who welcomed Jesus and learnt from him. This goes to show the temptation and danger of too much learning that could make us trivialise spiritual matters. It could also make us look down on people and regard certain potential life changing experiences as unimportant.

Jesus was simply saying that God works in the humble and not the proud. The heart is the abode for the word of God and not the head. We therefore need to be careful not to allow our academic degrees or intellectual pursuit to get in the way our faith.

How often do we look down on people or try to prove our superiority over nothing? Are we often inclined to rationalising and watering down the inspired teachings of the Scriptures? Does our knowledge and intellectual prowess surpass our interest and love for God? How much do we value our faith? The only way we can deepen our faith in God is through humble listening. And this means learning to listen without that feeling of condescension, pride, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness. When we begin to feel that we do not need God to be happy or to be fulfilled in life, our life begins to end. Stay humble. Place God above everything and listen.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, save us from the sin of pride and grant us the grace of humble listening. Amen.