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DAILY REFLECTION: TUESDAY, 5th DECEMBER 2017

TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT (Year II)
First Reading: Isa 11:1-10
Psalm: 72. R. v. 7
Gospel: Lk 10:21-24
When we have learnt so much, we should also learn to know that we know very little. Sophisticated minds are often blind to see simple truths. A simple mind can receive truths that learned minds cannot accept. To be learned is good; it makes our thinking complex and broadened that we go beyond the normal interpretation of the common man. But sometimes our learnedness makes us so foolish that we consider what makes sense as nonsense because ‘they’ are bunch of illiterates and ‘we’ are the literates.


Christ Jesus does not need complex but simple minds. Christ classified his disciples as infants not because they are all not learned but because they stooped very low to learn from him. Matthew for instance was a very learned man before his call, but he chose to follow and listen to a mere Galilean carpenter. Jesus blessed the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to his lowly apostles and not to the complex learned Pharisees.
Simple minds are ready to learn. Heavenly things may be studied but can only be effective and meaningful when it is revealed. And it is to the simple minds that these heavenly things are revealed. God exalts and works with those who are humble. After our study of philosophy and theology, we must still see ourselves as neophytes in knowing God. After our achievements, privileges, and honours, we must learn that we have very little.
It is only when we give God the first place in our lives that we will learn to be humble, discover that we are neophytes, realise that we have very little, and learn to be charitable. Then, we will become tools for which Christ will give glory to his Father.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Teach us O Lord what it means to be humble and simple that we be enriched with the heavenly promises. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP

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