In the Spirit of Feria V after the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The readings from Isaiah 66:12-14 and Matthew 18:1-4 provide rich nourishment for reflection, especially within the context of the traditional liturgical calendar and the spirit of this post-Pentecost season. The common thread through both passages is the theme of peace, consolation, and humility, which speak to the soul’s journey towards God. Drawing from the Church Fathers, we can explore how these scriptures offer a profound lesson for spiritual growth, anchored in the liturgical spirit of Feria V after the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Isaiah 66:12-14: “Peace as a River”
In Isaiah 66:12-14, the Lord promises:
“Behold I will bring upon her, as it were, a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles, which you shall suck; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother caresses, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”This passage invokes a powerful image of divine consolation, likening God’s care for His people to the tender care of a mother. The peace that flows like a river here is not only a foretelling of the Messianic era but also a reminder of the abiding presence of God’s grace for the faithful. St. Augustine, reflecting on this maternal imagery, interprets the Church as the spiritual mother, offering the milk of spiritual doctrine to her children. He writes:
“The Church feeds us as a mother feeds her child. She nourishes us with the Word of God, and through the sacraments, she gives us the sustenance necessary for eternal life” (Sermon 82).Here, we are called to recognize the Church’s nurturing role, particularly in the life of grace. The imagery of the mother caressing her child reminds us that God’s consolation is not distant but intimate and tender. Just as the faithful are consoled in “Jerusalem” — a symbol of the heavenly city and the Church — we are called to rest in God’s peace and let it permeate our hearts.
St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that this peace is not simply an external peace, but an inner transformation:
“For what profit is it to have peace with men, if we are at war with God? But if we are at peace with God, even though we suffer countless woes, we shall enjoy a deeper and more perfect peace” (Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew).This peace, flowing like a river, signifies an abundant and continual outpouring of divine grace that sustains the soul, even in the midst of worldly turmoil. It is a peace that comes through obedience to God’s will and humble submission to His divine providence.
Matthew 18:1-4: “Become Like Little Children”
The Gospel reading from Matthew 18:1-4 complements this theme of divine peace by shifting the focus to humility:
“At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.”In this passage, our Lord addresses the disciples’ misunderstanding of greatness, showing that true greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is not achieved through power or status, but through humility and childlike trust. This teaching echoes the earlier promise of Isaiah: the peace and consolation of God come to those who humbly trust in Him, just as a child trusts in its mother.
St. Cyril of Alexandria notes:
“Children are humble and free from pride, and whosoever therefore makes himself like unto them in humility, that person will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Commentary on Luke, Sermon 62).This childlike humility involves a complete reliance on God, devoid of self-seeking ambition. St. Jerome, reflecting on this passage, adds:
“Let us learn the lowliness of a child, so that we may enter the kingdom of heaven. For the highest place in heaven is reserved for those who are lowly, not for those who exalt themselves” (Commentary on Matthew, 3:18).In the context of the post-Pentecost season, this call to humility is especially poignant. Having been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the faithful are reminded that the spiritual life is not about personal grandeur or accomplishment, but about submission to God’s will. As we progress in the spiritual life, we must strive to become more childlike — not in ignorance, but in trust and purity of heart.
Liturgical Context: A Season of Humble Transformation
Feria V after the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost calls us to reflect on our spiritual journey. The readings and prayers of the Mass during this time emphasize humility, peace, and the rejection of worldly pride. The Collect from the Mass asks God to “strengthen what is weak within us,” reminding us that it is only through His grace that we can achieve the holiness to which we are called. This is a time to examine our own hearts and to embrace the childlike humility that Christ extols in the Gospel.
In this season, we are also reminded of the Church’s maternal role, guiding us with the sacraments and nourishing us with the Word of God. Like children, we are called to humbly receive these gifts, trusting that through them, God will lead us to eternal life.
Conclusion: Peace through Humility
As we reflect on these passages from Isaiah and Matthew, we are reminded that peace and consolation in the spiritual life are inseparably linked to humility. Isaiah’s promise of peace, like a river, flowing through Jerusalem, finds its fulfillment in the humble trust that Christ demands of His disciples. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven are not those who assert their power or intellect, but those who, like little children, rely wholly on God’s grace.
Let us, then, ask for the grace to embrace this childlike humility and to receive God’s peace with open hearts, trusting in His providence as the Church, our spiritual mother, continues to guide us toward the eternal Jerusalem. May we find peace in humility, and through this peace, draw ever closer to the heart of God.