VOICE OF THE LOGOS (13): REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I

History is filled with stories of great individuals who built empires, achieved fame, and reached the peak of power, only to fall spectacularly. One of the most tragic examples is Napoleon Bonaparte. A military genius, he rose from obscurity to become Emperor of France, dominating Europe. But his arrogance led him to overreach. In 1812, against all warnings, he invaded Russia, believing his army was invincible. The result? A disastrous retreat, the loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and eventually, exile and humiliation. The man who once ruled almost all of Europe died as a prisoner on a remote island, powerless and forgotten. His downfall wasn’t due to lack of intelligence or strength; it was his refusal to acknowledge limits. He thought he was untouchable. But, like all human beings, he was made of dust.

We are no different. We live in a world that worships independence. We are told to be strong, to never depend on anyone, and to “make our own destiny.” People pride themselves on being self-sufficient, rejecting any notion that they need God. We hear phrases like, “I don’t need anyone,” “I control my own fate,” and “Only the weak rely on religion.” But what happens when life humbles us? A financial collapse wipes out years of hard work. A betrayal shatters a seemingly perfect marriage. A sudden illness reminds us that our bodies are not as invincible as we thought. When everything crumbles, we are forced to face a truth we spent our whole lives ignoring: we were never in control to begin with.

The first reading from Sirach 17:1-15 confronts this illusion. It reminds us that God created human beings from dust, setting limits on our days. The Hebrew root word for “dust” used in this passage is ʿāp̄ār (עָפָר), which signifies not only physical dust but also frailty and insignificance. No matter how powerful a person becomes, they remain dust before God. Sirach states that God grants wisdom to human beings, not so they can glorify themselves, but so they can recognize their dependence on Him. Yet, most people misuse this wisdom. They boast about their achievements and refuse to acknowledge God, until suffering comes. Then, in their desperation, they seek the very God they ignored. But what if wisdom isn’t just about seeking God when we are weak? What if true wisdom is recognizing our need for Him even in our strength?

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 103:13-18) expands on this by showing us the heart of God. The psalmist compares God’s love to that of a father who understands the weakness of his children. He knows we are dust. He does not expect perfection from us; He expects dependence. But here’s the problem: we don’t want to be seen as weak. Society tells us that relying on God is outdated, that faith is a crutch for the weak-minded. This is why many people refuse to pray unless they are desperate. They want to prove they can handle life on their own. But what if refusing to rely on God is not strength, but foolishness? What if the strongest thing we can do is admit our limitations and surrender to Him?

Jesus takes this idea even further in Mark 10:13-16, where He does something shocking: He holds up children as the example of how we should approach God. The disciples try to push the children away, believing that Jesus should focus on “important” people, not the weak and powerless. But Jesus rebukes them, saying, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” The Greek word used for “child” here is paidion (παιδίον), which refers to a young child completely dependent on its parents. A child cannot survive on its own; it relies on the care, guidance, and protection of others. Jesus is saying that unless we come to God with that same dependence, we are unfit for His kingdom. This directly challenges modern thinking. The world tells us to be self-reliant; Jesus tells us to be like children. The world says dependence is weakness; Jesus says dependence is the only way to eternal life.

Dear friends in Christ, this message is difficult for many to accept. It requires humility. It forces us to admit that no matter how much we achieve, we are still dust. But embracing this truth leads to freedom. When we stop trying to control everything, we experience peace. When we surrender our strength to God, He gives us real power – the kind that doesn’t fade with time. So, here’s the challenge: Are we too proud to need God? Do we see dependence on Him as weakness or wisdom? Will we continue pretending we are in control, or will we finally embrace the childlike trust Jesus calls us to? The answer to these questions will determine not only how we live, but where we spend eternity.