Tuesday 2 December 2025. Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Luke 10:21-24
“Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)
In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus thanking God for hiding certain things from the wise and revealing them to mere infants. On this occasion, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, who had just returned from the mission of evangelisation, full of joy, because even the demons were subject to them. If Jesus referred to the disciples as infants, who are the “wise” in this context? Those who challenge Jesus and seek opportunities to trap Him with tricky questions.
Jesus’ opponents appeared wise by human standards, but this “wisdom” prevented them from recognising certain truths. Pride makes us think we know everything. It prevents us from learning anything new. Like a cup full of water, we can’t take in any more. As a result of pride, we find ourselves arguing with everyone and challenging them in every instance. What makes pride dangerous is that it is an invisible vice; it is difficult to see in oneself.
Pride is a form of corruption. When we are proud, we cannot get anything from God, not because God doesn’t want to bless us, but because our pride prevents us from seeing (acknowledging) God. Hence, in today’s opening prayer, we asked God to look with favour on our petitions, that as we await the coming of Christ in the flesh, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways.
Apart from making us lose God’s favour, pride also makes us lose others’ favour. Recently, I heard about a Nigerian musician who kicked a woman out of his show for sleeping in her seat while he was performing. For him, he was too good to be performing, and a fan wouldn’t be thrilled, not to mention dozing off in the concert arena. Many have attributed the cancellation of some of his scheduled concerts to his poor treatment of this lady. The higher you go in life, the humbler you should become; do not allow the applause of the crowd to make you think you have become a deity.
During this season of Advent, we must continually purge ourselves of the corruption of pride. If God could bring Himself to our level to save us, how willing am I to come down to the level of my subordinates? How willing am I to acknowledge my nothingness before God, like the Roman Centurion who did not allow Jesus to come under his roof?
Humility comes with great rewards. Apart from attracting God’s favour (granting us our miracle), as we saw with the centurion, it also elevates us. As St. Paul would say, “Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8).
In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the time that shall come when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. What does Isaiah mean by a little child assuming leadership of an unthinkable combination of animals, who we know are natural enemies? This is what humility entails.
An African proverb says that if a child washes his hands very well, he can eat with the elders. In other words, if we are humble, regardless of our size and status, we will be granted access to high places. Humility will put people under us like the child leading the lion, the leopard, the wolf, and the lamb.
This prophecy of Isaiah also points directly to the baby Jesus. As a baby, Jesus could not lift his hand, not to talk of holding a broomstick, but Herod and his entire household trembled with fear; kings came from across the world to pay homage to Jesus. Angels sang to the shepherds who kept watch at night. The whole world stood still for this baby, this little child born to change the entire course of history.
Let us pray: Look with favour, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent. Liturgical Colour: Purple. Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Luke 10:21-24)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu