On this Feria VI, following the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, the Church offers us two profound passages for reflection: Galatians 6:14-18 and Matthew 11:25-30. Both readings, taken together, guide us deeper into the mystery of the Cross and the humility of Christ, a central theme in the rich liturgical tradition of the Church.
Galatians 6:14-18: “Far Be It From Me to Glory Except in the Cross”
St. Paul’s words in Galatians 6:14-18 strike at the heart of Christian discipleship:
“But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Here, St. Paul speaks of the Cross not only as the instrument of Christ’s suffering and redemption but also as the source of his own identity and mission. He rejects any form of self-glorification, turning instead to the Cross as the only source of his strength and purpose.
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, underscores the radical nature of St. Paul’s statement. Chrysostom explains that Paul is rejecting any worldly praise or personal merit, “as though he were saying: ‘I desire neither honor, nor ease, nor life itself, nor anything human; all that is earthly is dead to me because I live only for Christ crucified.’” For the Apostle, the Cross is the ultimate sign of both Christ’s victory and his own call to die to the world and its vanities. This call to die to the world is central to the Christian life. The glory of the Cross transforms suffering into a source of grace and allows us to overcome the empty promises of the world.
The words of St. Paul remind us of our own need for detachment from worldly glory, especially in a culture that often prizes recognition, success, and ease. As St. Jerome notes, the Christian’s true glory is found not in power or wealth but in “the wood of Christ’s cross,” where our greatest freedom is gained through sacrifice. In dying to the world, we rise with Christ and are made new creations (Gal 6:15), living by the marks of Christ on our souls.
Matthew 11:25-30: “Learn from Me, for I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”
In the Gospel reading (Matt 11:25-30), we hear Christ’s invitation to come to Him and find rest. He praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom not to the wise and learned of the world but to the “little ones”—the humble of heart. The contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God, present in both readings, is striking.
St. Augustine reflects on this passage by noting that it is through humility that we come to know God’s truth. Pride closes our hearts to divine wisdom, while humility opens us to the mysteries of God’s Kingdom. Augustine writes, “The proud seek for exaltation and perish, but the humble look for humility and are exalted.” The “little ones” to whom Christ refers are those who, in simplicity and trust, submit to the will of God. This childlike faith contrasts with the arrogance of worldly knowledge, which often fails to recognize the deeper truths of God.
Christ’s invitation to take up His yoke and learn from Him speaks to the interior peace that comes from surrendering to His will. His yoke is not a burden of legalism but the life-giving discipline of grace. St. Gregory the Great emphasizes that Christ’s yoke is easy because it is borne out of love: “The weight of the commandment is light to him who loves. Love makes all labor light.” For those who humble themselves and embrace the discipline of following Christ, the burden becomes sweet, and the soul finds true rest.
The Cross and Humility: Our Path to Life
The readings for this Friday after the 19th Sunday after Pentecost draw us into a deeper meditation on the Cross and the humility of Christ. St. Paul’s rejection of worldly glory and Christ’s invitation to take up His yoke both point to the same truth: the path to life is found in dying to self and embracing the Cross.
In the Traditional Latin Mass, the Collects and Prayers for these days after Pentecost emphasize the sanctification of our daily lives through perseverance in grace. The humility of Christ and the Cross are central to this sanctification. The Church Fathers continually remind us that the Christian life is one of constant conversion—of turning away from pride and self-reliance and turning toward Christ crucified.
As we reflect on these passages, we are called to examine our own lives: Are we glorying in the Cross of Christ, or are we still seeking the approval and ease of the world? Are we embracing the humble yoke of Christ, or are we burdened by our own pride?
On this Feria VI, let us ask for the grace to follow the example of St. Paul, glorying only in the Cross, and to heed the call of Christ, learning from Him who is meek and humble of heart. By embracing humility and detachment from the world, we will find rest for our souls and the true peace that only Christ can give.
Prayer to Embrace the Cross
O Lord Jesus Christ,
You invite us to come to You and find rest in Your Sacred Heart.
Grant us the grace to glory in nothing but Your Holy Cross.
May we die to the vanities of this world and bear Your yoke with love,
knowing that in humility we shall find true peace.
Transform our hearts that we may become new creations in You,
and help us to embrace the path of the Cross with courage and joy.
Amen.