27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B, Year II)

Community Word: Those who are poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Theme: We inherit the Kingdom of God when we possess childlike humility and obedience.

Promise: “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways!”(Ps 128:1)

Reflection:
Jesus declared: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Mt 5:3). The “poor in spirit” are those who are lowly and reverent before God. It does not matter if they are materially rich or poor, but they acknowledge in the depth of their being that they depend completely on God. In the words of Jesus, the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven” is the person who humbles himself like a child. He attributes his life – who he is and what he does, as God’s gift to him. Obedience, humility and dependence are characteristics of children who are worthy of the Kingdom.

Children are always presented as examples of the “little ones.” They are powerless and vulnerable and they are able to trust and depend totally on others for their well-being and guidance. Jesus sees children as having unique qualities that can teach deep lessons to the rest of us and He shows children reverence. He lays hands on them and blesses them. It is the childlike humility and obedience of the “little ones” that we are asked to emulate in our theme – We inherit the Kingdom of God when we possess childlike obedience and humility.

Jesus humbled Himself many times and in many ways during His life on earth. At the age of twelve, He humbly obeyed His parents by leaving the temple and His “Father’s business” to return home with them(Lk 2:41-52). He humbled Himself when He was baptized by John, fulfilling all righteousness (Mt. 3:13-17). There was, however, no greater example of humility than that of Jesus’ obedience to death on the cross. Jesus humbled Himself in perfect obedience to the Father. He wasn’t afraid to ask that the cup be taken from Him, that God would perhaps deliver Him from suffering. But in the end, Jesus surrendered His will. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will,”(Mt 26: 39).

Humility and obedience go hand in hand. Without one, the other is nearly impossible. It’s like the example of a child, who, when told to clean his room, grumbles and slams the door. Eventually, the child will have a choice. He can either humbly accept the parent’s instruction to clean his room or he can remain stubbornly defiant. We, too, have a choice. When called by God to do something difficult, like forgiving someone who hurt us, we can cross our arms in defiance or we can humbly accept the command. It may take some wrestling through prayer, just as Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane, but ultimately, true obedience will follow humility.

Let us be child-like and Christ-like, humble, obedient and steadfast in submitting to the will of God in all things. Like Jesus, we can always choose to have the right attitude and actions in life. By doing so, we maybe assured of His promise: “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways!” (Ps 128:1).

Prayer:
Lord, grant me the virtue of humility, perfectly exemplified by Your Son, Jesus, that I may claim the riches of Your grace. May I obey Your commands and be filled with Your mercy that I may be Your authentic witness to the people You have asked me serve. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. In what area in your life are you struggling the most with humility? In what ways are you overly self-focused with pride, insecurity, or self-promotion?

2. What aspect in your life is competing with your obedience to God or the duties He has given you?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
Oct 7, 2018 (Sun) – Gn 2:18-24/Ps 128:1-6/Heb 2:9-11/Mk 10:2-16
Oct8, 2018 (Mon) – Gal 1:6-12/Ps 111:1, 2, 7-10/Lk 10:25-37
Oct 9, 2018 (Tue) – Gal 1:13-24/Ps 139:1-3, 13-15/Lk 10:38-42
Oct 10, 2018 (Wed) – Gal 2:1-2, 7-14/Ps 117:1, 2/Lk 11:1-4
Oct 11, 2018 (Thu) – Gal 3:1-5/Lk 1:69-75/Lk 11:5-13
Oct 12, 2018 (Fri) – Gal 3:7-14/Ps 111:1-6/Lk 11:15-26
Oct 13, 2018 (Sat) – Gal 3:22-29/Ps 105:2-7/Lk 11:27-28

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”