Jesus is meek and lowly of heart. That is why simple folks readily go to him and they feel at ease with him.

Jesus has done most of his miracles in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Yet these cities do not welcome what he has taught and preached. And it is so since that is how the Father wants it. In other words, it is to the simple folks that the Lord of heaven and earth wants to reveal things. Not to the wise and learned folks.

The scribes and Pharisees are among the wise and learned folks. These look down on the simple folks:  Jesus’ true disciples, and the publicans and sinners with whom he rubs shoulders and even eats.

But, yes, those the wise and learned scorn are the Father’s and Jesus’ chosen ones. That is to say, God gives grace to the lowly and resists the proud (see also 1 Pt 5, 5).

And St. Vincent grasps firmly and by experience that God chooses the poor and simple folks. The saint says that they keep the true religion, the living faith (SV.EN XI:190). They are also patient, meek, in their miseries and in their hard work to feed missionaries.

But how is it that they stay at peace in painful and tough times? It is because they are simple folks; God gives them bountiful graces that he refuses the wealthy and wise of this world (SV.EN XII:142).

Lord Jesus, grant us to learn from you, who are meek and lowly of heart. Thus, we will be with the simple folks who delight in your plentiful graces and in your wisdom. With the lowly peasants who are like you in a certain sense as they give food and drink to others. For you give us your body to eat and your blood to drink. And let us be in the Spirit to keep in mind always that we are in need of lowliness and simplicity.

5 July 2026
14th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Zech 9, 9-10; Rom 8, 9. 11-13; Mt 11, 25-30