*12th of October 2022*

*Wednesday in the 28th week of Ordinary Time, Year 11*

_Gal. 5:18-25_

_Lk. 11:42-46_

*You must be humble to take correction*

During his time, Jesus was critical of the Pharisees because they love taking seats at places of honour at occasions and in the synagogues. Looking for honour was very rampant at that time. One can understand why the disciples of Jesus wanted to know who was the greatest. Little wonder also James and John wanted to take the most honourable position; one at the right and the other at the left in his kingdom. In all these, the stand of Jesus was that the greatest must be humble. Jesus understood that the humble man will be willing to stoop low, to accept corrections in order to build up himself and be a better person.

In the gospel of today, Jesus criticizes the lawyers and interpreters of the Jewish Law for loading unbearable burdens on people. 

As Christ dished out the woes, one of the scholars of the Law said to him "Teacher by saying this you are insulting us too." To this, Christ also reacted with a woe.

Friends, this exchange of between Jesus and the scholar captured my attention. While the lawyer felt he was insulted, Jesus felt he owe no apologies to him provided he was saying the right thing, hence, he did not take back his words. We should learn to stand firm especially when we are correcting the ills in our society, no matter who feels insulted. This does not mean that we should insult either.

•In line with our discourse, the lawyer felt insulted because he lacked humility. For a proud man, corrections, truth is insult. To feel insulted always is a sign of pride. For a humble man, rebuke is positive. That friend that cannot correct you when you have done wrong is not a good friend(Also applicable in families). This does not mean that we should insult people in the name of corrections, because I for one like any other, detest insults too. Let us pray for humility in order to accept rebuke and corrections, so as to grow.

•Finally, at baptism, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts has its fruits. Paul in the first reading lists what this Spirit brings as fruits. When we are shaped by the Holy Spirit, we become humble, just as Christ who though God took our form.

*God's blessings*

(Fr. Camillus Nwaigwe)