Brothers and Sisters,

Today, we begin the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time of the Year. The Scripture readings of this Sunday call us to choose the way of Jesus, the way of humility, gentleness, simplicity and peacefulness.  Zechariah shares his vision of the messianic king entering Jerusalem peacefully, not on a warrior’s horse but riding on an Ass, bringing harmony and unity to a broken nation and broken world (first reading). The Psalmist sings the praises of the God of compassion and kindness “lifting up all who are bowed down” (responsorial Palm). Paul speaks of us being led by the Spirit of Jesus, the spirit of peace and joy (second reading). Jesus invites us to follow his way of humility, gentleness, and peacefulness (Gospel reading).

Our Gospel reading speaks of Jesus thanking the Father for revealing himself to the simple and humble. The intellectuals had no time or use for him. The humble welcomed him. Intellectual pride blocks us from coming to know the truth as the truth unfolds for us. Jesus invited all who were searching for God and God’s ways to turn to him. He invited his listeners and invites us today to accept his “yoke”, his discipline, his way and his truth which is made to fit us well. He invites us to learn from him and his ways because he is gentle and humble of heart. 

To be humble, gentle, and peaceful is often seen as being weak, mild, submissive, subservient, lacking courage, ineffective, passive, etc.  We want to think of ourselves as being courageous and strong and not weak and submissive. We want to be conquerors! Humility, gentleness, and peacefulness sound too much like surrender, but we want to conquer and not surrender! Unlike the movies where problems are solved with guns and ammunitions, we are challenged to be patient, gentle, kind and considerate in solving our problems. Gentleness is also recognizing our own capacity to do harm and choosing instead to be tender, caring, soft-spoken, soft-hearted, and loving. Gentleness is not weakness. Gentleness is tamed and disciplined strength.

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the gentle, loving, compassionate one.” The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?” The grandfather answered: “The one I feed.” Let us choose to feed, to nurture gentleness as our way. The way of Jesus is the way the heart, the way of love, the way of kindness and compassion, the way of gentleness and humility.  Let us make it as our way.

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