FROM HUMILITY TO CONSOLATION

FROM HUMILITY TO CONSOLATION

In today's gospel (Mt. 11: 25-30) Jesus appears thanking the Father because he has granted to the little ones what he does not grant to the proud. What is it that the Father has given to the little ones?

Knowing the mystery of God. This is how Jesus expresses it when he says: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (Mt. 11: 27)

Yes, what has been revealed is the ability to know God. And this knowledge is possible because only the little ones allow themselves to feel loved by God and in need of Him. Let us think for a moment about another passage from the Gospels that reminds us of how pleasing the little ones, the humble are
to God: "... My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; ... He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their throne but lifted up the lowly.” (Lk 1: 46-52)

Mary also confesses her gratitude to God for rejoicing pleasure in little ones. When the gospel says “little ones”, it is proposing to us as a value of the Christian life, the importance of being humble. I think it is good to have the value of "humility" present. Perhaps humility is the most important core value for
having an authentic experience of God.

Also, in today's Gospel Jesus invites us to find rest and comfort in Him. Certainly, there are moments in everyone's life when it seems that we no longer give of ourselves, life's adversities seem to overcome us and push us to the limit of our capacities, it is precisely there where Jesus asks us to approach Him. He knows sufferings and trials. He knows what it means to go beyond one's own limits, He who went to the extreme for love. (Jn 13: 1)

 

What can make those things that weigh us down and push us to the limit not weigh so much? Love. Love transforms everything and gives meaning to everything. Christ has given us an example of life by assuming death on the cross for love of us. His love is our strength. Let us approach Him humbly, let us be consoled by Him and be renewed in our strength to continue with a Christian life that bears witness to God's love for the world.

Rev. Carlos Flores, OSA