THE WORD
Is 1,10.16-20 / Mt 23,1-12
Then 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 shoulder, 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 Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
IN OTHER WORDS
I remember the humility of St. Arnold Janssen during the foundation of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Steyl, Holland. As a founder and at the same time a Superior General, he was not spared of suspicions and humiliations, which tested his virtues and humble spirit. He often experienced being misunderstood and misjudged since he was not expressive and could not shine in public. He encountered many humiliations when dealing with Roman authorities. In the midst of these, he would only respond, “I am used to such things. I experienced worse ones. Fiat voluntas tua!” What remarkable humility.
Jesus taught us humility as one of the values of the kingdom. It is one that characterizes greatness and servanthood. If we want to be great, then let’s be humble. Humility is a way to greatness. If we want to be servant to others, then we must be humble. Servanthood requires humility. Thus, a humble person is a mature one. He recognizes that God is the giver of all that is good and that he gives us the joy of doing good as we serve our family and Christian communities.
Let me end this reflection with the words of St. Arnold Janssen: “A faithful servant of Jesus must
leave humbly the achievements of his work in the hands of God and remain at peace also when the Lord says to him: ‘I do not now need you; just do as it pleases me and I will give you success or failure according to my divine plan for you.’”
- Fr. Jhonatan A. Letada, SVD | CKMS, Quezon City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
