First Reading: Is 10:5-7. 13-16; Psalm: 94 R. v. 14a; 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. By this he was condemning 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 of so much learning. The temptation to look down on people or to 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 of the word of God and not the head. We therefore need to be careful not to allow our academic degrees or intellectual pursuit to come between us and 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? Do we allow what we know to 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. 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.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

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