A world in need of honesty and humility

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In today’s first reading from the prophet Zephaniah (3:1-2,9-13), we read about the transformation of a people, from being proud boasters to becoming “a humble and lowly people”. This is what we pray for today. We live in an age where arrogance is too often the rule of the day. Our politicians love to boast of what they have done, even when what they say is a pack of lies, and fail to acknowledge that they struggle to live up to people’s expectations. Somehow the virtue of humility has got lost in the efforts of politicians to outrival ona another. I am reminded of the example of Jose Mujica, president of Uruguary from 2010 to 2015. He was once referred to as the “world’s poorest president”. After he became president, he opted to stay at his wife’s farmhouse, outside the capital of Montevideo, where they grew flowers. He gave most of his salary to charity. His example brings me to today’s gospel from Matthew 21:28-32 where Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a story about the man who had two sons. To one son, the father said, “Go and work in the vineyard today”. This son said he will not go but later thought better of it and did what his father asked. When the father went to the other son and asked him to do the same. This son said, “Sure”. But then he did not go. Jesus asked this leaders, “Which of the two did the father’s will?” The answer was obvious. But what Jesus wanted to explain to these high-minded elders was that tax-collectors and prostitutes were making their way into the kingdom of God ahead of them. They listened to John when he preached the need for repentance and change of heart. But these elders and church leaders refused to think better of the way they were living their lives and believe what John was saying. “Stop being so arrogant and judgemental. Have the humility to realise that you need to change your ways and live up to the principles of true religion – ‘to act justly and to walk humbly with your God’.” Today’s message is one that calls for honesty and humility. Let us be true to ourselves and to God.