Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt 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.”
THE REWARD OF HUMILITY: Many times people build and commit to relationships based on the “what’s in it for me” attitude. However, we see Ruth sticking to her mother-in-law when she had nothing to offer. This can only happen with a humble person who is not looking for their benefit but for the benefit of another. At the house of Boaz we do not see any attitude of entitlement but humility of seeking to collect what is left behind. Her humility wins her favor and she becomes the owner of the field and a kin in the lineage of David and of Christ. Christ puts forth a major principle in the Gospel that the greatest must be the servant of all. Just like Ruth when we humble ourselves we will be rewarded with a place of honor.
PRAYER: Lord give us the grace to be humble that we may find honor.
DAILY GOSPEL 