Read Isaiah 10:5-7,13-16, Ps. 94:5-10,14-15, Matthew 11:25-27
“Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast has hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes.” (Matthew 11:25)
Today’s Gospel passage contains a prayer that Jesus addressed to the Father. And it is a prayer of thanksgiving. Jesus gives thanks to God for hiding the mysteries of His Kingdom from the wise and understanding and revealing them instead to infants.
The wise in this sense are those who feel that they know more than God, that is, those who out of pride refuse to honor and obey God. The disciples are called infants for their trust and obedience or better put, because of their childlike approach to God.
No wonder, in Luke 18:16-17 Jesus says: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”
One unique characteristic of infants is that they easily believe what you tell them. In other words, they are willing to learn and would hardly claim to know more than their teacher. To be an infant in God’s eyes is to humble oneself completely before God.
The Prophet Isaiah asks in our first reading today, “can the ax exult itself over the one who uses it?” or “will the saw consider itself greater than the man who cuts with it?” Indeed, pride goes before a fall. We are nothing but mere instruments in the hands of God. Without humility, we cannot understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Our psalmist today sings: “The Lord will not abandon his people.” This is a statement that requires a childlike faith to accept, believe and work with. Whatever it is you are going through right now, just tell yourself: God will not abandon me.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, give me the mind of a child in my approach to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 15 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Isaiah 10:5-7,13-16, Ps. 94:5-10,14-15, Matthew 11:25-27).
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu