HOMILY, WEDNESDAY, 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
MEMORIAL, ST BONAVENTURE
[St Bonaventure, (1218-1274) bishop and a cardinal, was born in Tuscany in Italy. He was a Franciscan. As a result of his exceptional intellect and spiritual gifts, he wrote great books which earned the name of ‘the seraphic Doctor.]
Isaiah 10:5-7.13-16, Matthew 11:25-27
When we know the truth that we cannot do anything on our own, we will find it easy to acknowledge the impact of others in our life. When we are successful in life and forget to be faithful to God, the source of all blessings, we run the risk of losing our strength. The recognition of the sources of our blessings helps us to renew our strength so as to achieve greater things. The instinct of acknowledgment is a sign of humility.
We see in today’s first reading how Assyria forgot that his victory over other nations came at God’s own command and might. He arrogated the glory to himself and incurred God’s wrath. Hence the Lord said,
“I will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire.”
Moreover, it takes humility to access the deep things of God. When we humbly acknowledge our poverty of knowledge before God, he reveals more of himself to us. Knowledge is power. The power to conquer in life is the product of mastery which we gain over our life challenges by the strength or the knowledge at our disposal. The Lord Jesus said,
“I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants.”
Acknowledgment is appreciation. Appreciating God keeps us tuned to him. Likewise, when we appreciate others, we spurn them to do more. And our pot will never run dry.
PRAYER
Lord! May I know that you are the one who works in me to will and to do. Help that I may always cooperate with your grace. Thy kingdom come.
