Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 11, 11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Ears to hear
1. Being humble. God always stands by His children, but the one thing that truly bothers Him (as shown in the Old Testament) is someone who acts like they are more important than they really are. This is our weak spot. We fall into it when we choose a lifestyle or position that doesn’t match our true identity or what we are meant to be. To be “small” means accepting your current reality. From that honest starting point, you can then focus on growing into the person God wants you to be and the person you aspire to become.
2. The violent. You will always face people who oppose and attack you simply because of who you are. Their reasons might be petty, like your appearance or how well you connect with others. These attacks can come from anywhere: your family, your community, or even the Church. Don’t let your critics stop you. Instead, remember why you are doing your work and who you are working for. When people attack you, it’s often proof that you are actually making a difference, because taking action makes others uncomfortable.
3. Come Back. “The crowd” (which can be a group, a community, a parish, or even your family) often looks for three things. excuses, people to blame, and a savior. Don’t give up on who you are just to satisfy a few people. Don’t compromise your authenticity for the approval of people who will praise you one day and criticize you the next. Instead, focus on living with your eyes fixed on God. Take responsibility for your actions, but always keep your perspective centered on Him.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
