Happy 250th Birthday to our United States!

Happy 250th Birthday to our United States!  Thanks to all of our Founding Fathers and Mothers for the sacrifices they made in starting our nation!  May we continue their legacy - learning from our mistakes — and growing in humility.

That theme of humility is central to our Bible readings today. How fitting! Our God is a humble God, so if we wish to live as Christians, we too, must be humble. In fact, humility is key to our way of life, and to a peaceful and fulfilling life.  What would our nation, state, and family life look like if we were all more humble? Christ has given us a clear and compelling model of humility. We dare not pursue any other path for ourselves if we wish to follow Him. 

But this kind of humility goes against our natural, worldly bent which says we must insist on having our own way, assert our rights at all costs, and put ourselves first so as to get ahead. How can we live the radical way Christ is calling us to live when others tempt us to different ways?

As St. Paul tells us in our second reading, because of the gifts of our Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, we have a “Superpower” right within us — the Living God — Who gives us every spiritual gift and all the strength we need. Receive this Superpower! Lean into that power to grow in you, especially this key virtue of humility!

In our Gospel passage from Saint Matthew, Jesus Himself speaks to the Father of the privileged role that humble souls play in God’s plan of salvation. What does it mean to be a “little one”? It means that we acknowledge we don’t have it all figured out, but that we are very much in need of a Savior. It means we recognize that all we are, and all we have been given, is a gift from God. It means that all we do, then, must show that gift to others. 

It is not easy, but deep peace and consolation come with this way of life. Jesus offers these warm and encouraging words to embrace it. “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” 

On this 250th Birthday of our nation, resolve to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, embrace the humble way. It is the path that leads to peace here and now, and ultimately leads us to heaven.

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor