“I bless you Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” We are called today to reflect on humility and meekness, the purpose of Jesus’ prayer to His heavenly Father in the gospel. What does the scriptures tell us today?
In the first reading, Zechariah described the coming messiah and king as a just saviour who comes to us in humility and meekness, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. On this colt, this messiah and king will banish riders of chariots and horses and bring everlasting peace throughout the world. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is seen as the fulfilment of this prophesy (Matthew21:2-7). He is the messiah who pulls down the proud and mighty from their self-adulation and throne and raises the lowly.
In the 2nd reading, St Paul urges us to live the life of the spirit rather than that of the flesh. When we live in the flesh or sin (in pride), we are still prisoners of ourselves and in death, but if we live by the spirit of Christ, the humble messiah and king, we live in freedom and will be full of life.
The revelation for us today is that a life of humility and meekness is to our benefit. That is the purpose Jesus blessed the Father on behalf of his disciples for revealing how humility is profitable to every human person. Thus Jesus, the lowly and meek messiah, invites us to come to him so that we learn from him and rest in him.
Humility makes us down to earth and realistic about life. In humility, you are closer to Jesus’ heart. What a beautiful place that is.
Humility is next to Godliness, for it is the life of God. Humility is next to Holiness, for it is the path to God. Let us, like God’s dear children and in childlike trust, draw closer to Jesus and learn how to be humble from him.