From the Gospel according to Matthew 23:1–12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
What a beautiful Gospel we are given today, in which the Lord teaches us what truly matters: humility. At times we allow ourselves to be carried away by vanity, by the desire to stand out, by our “I”. It can even happen in our marriage, when we do things so that our spouse will notice us, serving in order to be praised. How mistaken we are.
It is beautiful to move forward along the path Jesus shows us, where we discover that it is precisely the opposite: to recognise ourselves as sinners before Him and before our spouse, to give thanks for our littleness, to accept our poverty, and to take the lowest place, with the sole desire of offering everything to the Lord and seeking only to please Him.
Gradually renouncing my own criteria, placing Jesus where He truly belongs in my heart, and allowing myself to be conformed to Him, this is what enables me to love my spouse not from above, but from the place of one who knows they are humble. And then, I shall be lifted up.
Brought Down to Married Life
(James and Alice, on their way home after their catechesis group meeting)
James: My love, I need to confess something… Tonight, when it was our turn to present this month’s catechesis, I let myself be carried away by vanity. I loved seeing how the other couples were looking at me, appreciating how much work I had put into it, how well it was going—especially the little experience you had organised. And do you know what? At one point I realised I was not letting you speak. I had left you sitting there in silence. And the catechesis was about dying to oneself in order to build a love of communion. How awful…
Alice: To be honest, James, your attitude at the beginning did surprise me a little. But it was beautiful when you realised what was happening, asked my forgiveness in front of everyone, gave me a kiss, and we were able to finish presenting it together. It is such a gift to see how the Lord is gradually working in your heart. A few months ago, you would have presented the catechesis on your own.
James: That is true, Alice. Thank you for your patience, for always being there and praying for me… What wonders the Lord works when we give Him the place He deserves in our hearts.
Mother,
Teach us to become small and humble, so that we may see the Lord as our only God.
Blessed and praised be He for ever.