December 14, 2017,
Thursday
2nd Week of Advent
1st Reading: Is 41:13–20Gospel:
Mt 11:11–15
Jesus said to the crowds, “No one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and 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 is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it. “Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the Law; and if you believe me, John is this Elijah, whose coming was predicted. Let anyone with ears listen!”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The life of John the Baptist is a showcase of how important humility is to God. In today’s Gospel reading Jesus says that whereas “no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women”, one can surpass his greatness by being “least in the kingdom of heaven”. What does being least in the kingdom of heaven mean? Let’s correlate this with other Gospel passages where Jesus uses the same word.
In explaining the love commandment Jesus says, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Here the word “least” means insignificant. But it is most unlikely that Jesus has the same meaning in mind in talking about the “least in the kingdom of heaven”. Being “the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters” (insignificant) and being “the least in the kingdom of heaven” (VIPs) are poles apart in meaning. But the two are very closely related. Thus Jesus says, “Suffer the little children to come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Children symbolize that sector of society that holds no power and influence on earth. But they are heirs of the kingdom of heaven.
The relation, however, is qualified. Being least in society does not automatically qualify one to any reserved seat in heaven. Jesus makes an important qualification in the Beatitudes when he uses the term “poor in spirit”. This qualification narrows down the term “least in the kingdom” to the humble ones. The humble ones who are often considered insignificant on earth wield extraordinary powers in heaven. John the Baptist was just a faint voice in the desert announcing the coming of the Lord. He was literally poor, feeding on locusts and clothing himself with sackcloth. But now he is a prominent figure in heaven. The comforting thing about his story is that his life of insignificance was short but his life of triumph in heaven is eternal.
That’s how important the virtue of humility is to God. It is so important that he dangles heaven as reward to those who are poor… Just like St. John the Baptist. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM.
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