An Axe Has No Power on its Own

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today’s first reading tells us about Assyria, a powerful nation that God allowed to become an instrument of His justice. But there was a problem. Assyria forgot that it was only an instrument. Instead of giving glory to God, it became proud. The king boasted, “By my own power I have done this.” He believed that his success came entirely from himself. Through Isaiah, God responds with a powerful image: Can an axe boast against the one who swings it? An axe is useful, but it has no power on its own. It is the one holding it who gives it purpose. The same is true for us.

This is a lesson we all need to hear. God has given each of us gifts – our intelligence, talents, health, opportunities, and even our faith. These are beautiful blessings. But they are not trophies that prove how great we are. They are gifts entrusted to us so that we can serve others and glorify God. The danger comes when we begin to think, “I did this all by myself.” Pride quietly replaces gratitude. We stop seeing God as the source of our blessings and start believing that we are the source.

That is why today’s reading is not only about an ancient empire. It is about every human heart. Pride is one of the oldest temptations. It began with Adam and Eve, who wanted to be “like God.” It appeared again in the Tower of Babel, where people wanted to make a name for themselves. Even today, our culture often celebrates self-sufficiency, telling us that we don’t need anyone – not even God. Yet every breath we take is a gift. Everything we have ultimately comes from the Lord.

Today the Church also celebrates the Memorial of St. Bonaventure, a brilliant theologian and Doctor of the Church. He was one of the greatest minds of the Middle Ages, but he never allowed his learning to make him proud. In fact, he taught that the purpose of knowledge is not simply to know more, but to love God more. For Bonaventure, theology was not about winning arguments; it was about drawing closer to Christ. He reminds us that true wisdom always leads to humility, because the closer we come to God, the more we realize how much we depend on Him.

Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves today is simple: Am I giving God the credit for the blessings in my life? When something goes well, do I immediately thank Him? When I use my talents, do I remember that they are gifts to be shared? God wants to use each of us as His instruments. But unlike an axe, we have the freedom to cooperate with Him or resist Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for every gift You have placed in my life. Keep me from the pride that makes me forget You. Teach me to use my talents with humility, knowing that everything I have comes from Your loving hand. Like St. Bonaventure, may I seek wisdom that leads me closer to Christ and a heart that always gives You the glory. Make me a faithful instrument of Your love, so that through my life, others may come to know You. Amen.

– Homily by Rev Fr Patrick Agbeko