Learning Humility from Jesus

HOMILY: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 11:25-30

9 July 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

Cardinal Tagle loves telling the story of how he enjoyed commuting. He knew the routes for buses, jeeps and tricycles from Cavite to Metro Manila. Even as a bishop, he used to commute. He brings with him an extra polo shirt in case he would perspire a lot. Nobody could believe a bishop like him did not drive his own car nor did he have a driver. He eventually out of need had to have a car and driver because of the numerous engagements he had to attend to. 

I am amused by such stories of humility. These days, many of us choose to live beyond our means in a desperate attempt to “keep up with the joneses”.  We put so much pressure on ourselves to do what others do or have what others have. There was a driver who dreamed of buying a motorcycle. His boss gave him a loan; However, the payment will be deducted from his monthly salary so that this need not  last for more than three (3) years. He chose a model that was rather pricey — more than what he could really afford. It meant a deduction of 1/3 of his take home pay every month. These days he has difficulty managing the budget to support his wife and three children and he barely has enough money to buy gasoline for his new motorcycle. He is always short of money and so he is forced to borrow.

Humility, the focus of this Sunday’s readings is a virtue that many of us struggle with. In the gospel passage this Sunday Jesus says… “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” (Matthew 11:29) In this passage, we see how Jesus explicitly tells those listening “TO LEARN” from Him, who Himself is meek and humble of heart, who in the eyes of the world, is lowly and insignificant. As the humble one, Jesus shows appreciation for the “little ones” because He has always identified Himself with the lowly. From the very moment He came into this world, He was born in a stable and He was laid in a manger. All throughout His life, Jesus exemplified humility. Although John the Baptist publicly acknowledged at the Baptism in the river Jordan that he is not even fit to untie Jesus’ sandal straps, Jesus still submits Himself to be baptised by John. 

Of course, it is not easy to be humble. We often associate humility with “nobodies”. In a world where we measure our success by the positions, titles and accolades we have acquired for ourselves, nobody wants to be “unseen”, “overlooked”, and “ignored”. Everyone wants to be the most admired; to be the most followed in social media; and to be on top of everything. Nevertheless, the way of Jesus is different. If we are blessed with high station, it should not result in our being proud. A true disciple is called to be humble. In the Second Reading, we are presented with two ways of living: life in the flesh and life in the Spirit. To live in the flesh means we anchor our hopes and existence on the things and values of this world that are temporary, imperfect and those that rot and decay. St. Paul urges all Christians to choose life in the spirit because it is only through it that we can please God and become united in Him. 

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 people were expecting a saviour- king whom they pictured as a majestic political leader with a strong army that would deliver them from their enemies. We, Filipinos should find this very relatable especially since we have a tendency to choose our leaders based on who is popular, who has the best performance at rallies, who gives away the most money, or who impresses us most with their promises of deliverance from poverty. Zechariah, however, does not speak of a mighty, overbearing monarch astride a majestic stallion but rather of someone who is meek and riding on a humble colt, the foal of an ass. This is not however to describe Him as 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” (Psalm 145:14). For us, Christians, this Saviour-King is none other than our Lord 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.

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 and less stressful for ourselves. The life of a person who always has to prove or assert himself/herself or to keep up with others is very tiring and stressful. Do we really need to always be better, to know better, and to have the last word on things? Do we always have to go along or to keep up with others? Then, after that? Are we happy? I hope so. Sadly, most of the time, we are not.

As followers of Christ, we must remember, that despite all our achievements and accomplishments we must remain humble. We must learn to foremostly give glory to God in everything we do. We must not forget that it is by His grace that we live and we thrive and that without Him, we are nothing.