Kuwait City, 4-6 July 2014
Homily of the Apostolic Nuncio
His Grace Archbishop Petar Rajič
Zec 9:9-10; Rom 8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30
I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Jesus gives praise to his and our Father in heaven for revealing himself and caring for the little ones of the world: those that are helpless, the poor and the abandoned. The Lord Jesus was the first among these little ones because he was born in a manger, he never sought power or fame, never used violence, and his teachings and example were confirmed by his death on the cross. What Jesus revealed to the little ones of the world is: Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Jesus does not come to impose duties and prohibitions, but he gives us his peace. He does not bring new regulations but rather proclaims that the Kingdom of God is already present, and that it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). If we live righteously and let the peace of God and his love enter our hearts, then we will also be able to provide more justice, peace and joy to many people around us.
Take my yoke upon you. The yoke Jesus speaks of refers to the law of God, and Jesus’ commandments of love towards God and our neighbor. We are invited therefore to take upon ourselves the duty of evangelical love towards everyone, which is the rule of life that provides us with happiness and contentment. The Lord adds: For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. Our faith is no longer a burden for us to carry, but something that keeps us alive and carries us through life.
Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. Jesus teaches us on life and love. Let us go to his school in order to learn his way of loving that is humble, modest, gentle and simple, and we will find true peace of mind and soul, which is the beginning of our eternity. When we become little before God, we shall then know that greatness is not measured by intelligence or position, but by the size of one’s heart.
