Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 17 July 2024
Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday
Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16. Matthew 11:25-27
Humility and revelation
Today’s readings offer a beautiful contrast, a melody played in two keys. In Isaiah, we hear a booming denouncement of pride. Assyria, a mighty empire, has become arrogant, mistaking itself for the architect of its own success. God, however, reminds them they are but a tool – “Can an axe boast over the one who swings it?” (Isaiah 10:15). Their arrogance will be their downfall.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a gentle counterpoint. He praises the Father for revealing himself “to little children.” Here, there’s no boasting of power, just an openness to God’s message. The wise and learned, those who rely on their own intellect, miss what the little children grasp.
This contrast speaks deeply to us. We live in a world that often celebrates power and prestige. We are bombarded with messages telling us to achieve, to be the best. It’s easy to fall into the Assyrian trap, to believe our successes are solely our own doing.
But Jesus reminds us that true wisdom comes from humility. It comes from recognizing that all we have, all we are, is a gift from God. It comes from approaching life with the openness and wonder of a child.
Here’s the good news: this kind of humility isn’t weakness. It’s the key that unlocks the door to God’s revelation. When we let go of our pride, when we acknowledge our limitations, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of God’s love and plan.
So, how do we cultivate this childlike humility? Perhaps it’s by taking a moment each day to simply be grateful for the blessings in our lives. Maybe it’s by approaching scripture with a beginner’s mind, open to new interpretations. Or perhaps it’s by seeking guidance from those we consider “little children” – those with pure hearts and simple faith.
Let us reject the arrogance of Assyria. Let us embrace the childlike wonder Jesus praises. For in that humility, we will find not only a deeper connection with God, but also a richer, more meaningful life.
May God bless you, and may He continue to reveal Himself to you, in all His love and wisdom.
#
The pilgrims of hope embrace humility and innocence in their lives. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 150).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
Leave a comment