Humility: Jesus’ invitation, a yoke to carry…

Homily: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

July 5, 2020

Matthew 11:25-30

Work has resumed for some offices in the country. Employers are relieved that business is once again generating funds to cover expenditures and employees are grateful for the opportunity to earn their keep. Of course, all must strictly observe health and safety protocols set in place for the protection of everyone. Reminders to do social distancing, wear masks, and frequently wash hands are common in any establishment you enter. There is a very funny signage outside an office building that reads… “We’re allowed back to work! But you’ve got to remember to avoid MEN (Mouth, Eyes, Nose) and instead, follow WOMEN (Wash your hands, Obey social distancing, Mask up, Exercise and eat well, No unnecessary traveling). The advice has a gender bias but is witty nonetheless. Somebody joked that married men would have no trouble with this since most of the time it is their wives who call the shots. Seriously speaking, men and women, rich and poor, CEO or janitor, all must humble themselves and submit to the protocols to save lives.

Humility. This is a virtue we all need in this time of crisis. We have all been subjected to a situation that few of us have experienced before. The world as we know it has spun off its axis and knocked the breath out of our lungs. For the most part, since March, the whole world was wrought with fear and confusion. No one could claim absolute knowledge about the virus and how to stop it. The world’s experts are still racing to understand it in the hope of finding a cure or at least retard its rapid spread. The rest of us, are left to follow the dictates of the experts and to abide by the guidelines set by government. As the situation drags on, we have witnessed increasing resistance. Complaints voiced on social media are already deafening. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone appears to know better. But is this really helping? These days, to insist on what we want or assert our impulses places lives at risk, if not our own. 

The gospel today relays to us how Jesus feels and thinks about humility. In the beginning Matthew tells us that Jesus is moved to praise the Father for showing favour on the few who dared respond to His call of discipleship despite all its risks and demands. This image is in contrast to the boastful who resist Him the most, believing themselves to be learned and wise. He insinuates that it is only the childlike who will have the capacity to open their hearts to His teachings and recognize Him as the Saviour. The logic here reminds me of a saying that (and I paraphrase) those who are proud and arrogant are like vessels filled to the brim. There is no room left to store something new or something better. 

Jesus has an appreciation for the “little ones” because He has always identified Himself with the childlike, and the lowly. From the very moment He came into this world, he was born in a stable and laid in a manger. All throughout His life, Jesus exemplifies humility. Although John the Baptist publicly acknowledges that he is not even fit to untie the sandal straps of Jesus, Jesus still submits Himself to be baptized by John. 

Of course, it is not easy to be humble. We often associate humility with losers or push overs. Nobody wants that. Everyone wants to be a winner; to be on top; to be first and not last. But the Bible tells us that is not so. In the first reading Zechariah foretells of a king — a saviour who will become the instrument of God’s blessing to all the people. The image he paints is unique. He doesn’t speak of a mighty, overbearing monarch astride a majestic stallion but rather someone who is meek riding on a humble colt, the foal of an ass. But this is not to say he is weak and powerless. (Zechariah 9:9-10) On the contrary, his dominion will be vast and he will succeed in bringing peace to all. He will “lift up all who are falling and raise up all who are bowed down” (Ps. 145:14). This King is no other than Jesus Christ — the Messiah who came to save the world not with a glorious army and the might of a sword but by proclaiming peace and love and demonstrating humble obedience to the will of the Father.

The effort to be humble is not without its rewards. Jesus promises respite from the cares and torments of life saying, “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus further invites them to “take My yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart”. (Matthew 11:29) Jesus shows us that following His example of humility and obedience as exhibited in His life and His relationships with God and others, will gain for us His full support. With Him by our side there is no burden too great that we cannot carry. 

Two weeks ago, I had a conversation with my friends living in Thailand and Vietnam, about how well these two neighbouring Asian countries have successfully managed to curb the spread of Covid 19. I listened to them, quietly hoping that the Philippines would eventually have the same success story in the nearest possible future. At that time, reports said that Vietnam has had only over 300 reported cases of Covid 19, most of whom have already recovered. And mind you, no Covid-related deaths have been recorded there. Zero (0). Nada. Similarly, Thailand was celebrating the rapid decrease of new cases in their country. In fact, they recently ended all lockdowns and re-opened their airports for domestic and international travel. With assurances raised by the health and safety measures implemented, schools have also opened their doors to students. The Thai people strictly adhere to the prescribed discipline necessary to survive the pandemic. Meanwhile, I read that Vietnam’s success is attributed to the people’s strong sense of nationalism. They acknowledged their common enemy —- the virus causing Covid 19, and collectively waged a war against it. I sadly reported to my friends that new Covid cases in the Philippines was on the rise again. I’ve heard one time too many that the surge in Covid cases is due to our lack of discipline. That’s sad. But is the surge in Covid 19 cases solely due to our lack of discipline? (I do not even want to go there.) One thing is certain though, if we are to make the Philippines Covid-free we all have to make a concerted effort. All of us must do our part, without exception. We must all be aware of our personal and social responsibility, and be intolerant of those who demand special treatment and deem themselves exempt from the guidelines for public safety.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus in today’s Gospel invites us to follow His example, “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered.” (Hebrew 5:8) When we learn to imitate Jesus’ meekness and gentleness, life becomes less complicated not only for ourselves but for everyone else. This is what it means to be yoked to Jesus. The pandemic has taught us that we are all connected to each other and that the actions of one can affect thousands. When we renounce our tendency for pride and self-entitlement, we contribute to the communal effort to rise above this crisis. We will soon feel that things are looking up because we are no longer alone in the fight.

Illustration by Blair Paulus Nuyda, AA.