Sunday Reflection: Jesus teaches that he is the way to the Father and that the way to him is the humble way. Matthew 11: 25-26 is a confession of praise and thanks to God for giving revelation in the first place, opening it to all and not restricting it to a self-styled elite few. The prayer of thanks and praise is structured like a typically Jewish prayer of praise and thanks in the Psalms. First, God is addressed, then thanked or praised, and then the reason for doing so is given.

Jesus’ instruction will primarily consist of example. His attitudes of meekness and humility, recommended in the Beatitudes of chapter five, are not learned or memorized intellectually but appropriated personally by imitation. When we see things from the eternal perspective our first response is praise. Jesus is against intellectual pride, not intellectual power. Because Jesus is open to all people, educated and not, brilliant and not, all people can come to know God through him.

The truly learned and wise are the really humble, those who see from God’s perspective, know they cannot live the way God wants them to live without outside help. We need a Savior, Jesus who can give us the ability to be truly human, to be all that God wants and calls us to be.

Humility is acceptance, loving, even laughing acceptance, of our creature status. Humility takes the pressure off of life’s “burdens,” and makes them bearable. That is why Christians like to use the phrase “bearing the cross.”

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Notices

• Philippine Independence Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, July 9^th, at the Memorial South Park 5955 Ross Street
  (E. 41st Avenue) Vancouver. St. Michael will be participating in this event in partnership with the Diocesan Synod Office. We will be marketing our parish to the Filipino-Canadian community from across the province. For more details, see Fr. Louie.
• Diocesan Clergy Family Day will be hosted by our parish on Thursday, July 13, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. If you wish to say “hello” to some clergy, you could swing by during this time.
• Michael’s Summer Barbecue Potluck Fellowship will be on Saturday, July 15, 5:00 to 8:00pm, in the porch area of the Millennium Hall. Invite a friend and family. Share your favourite dish.