1-Dec-15

Gospel LK 10:21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Reflection:
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike."
What does it mean to be "childlike?"
We've all heard someone referred to as being "too smart for their own good." It is possible to be so learned that we tend to complicate things.
The Pharisees and scribes were "the wise and the learned." In their mind, they had no need to listen to Jesus. They had it "all figured out."
Consequently, they could not accept Jesus' miracles or absorb His message.
The minds of the poor and needy, the crippled, blind and lepers were not cluttered with preconceived ideas. They were like little children, only aware of their need. They were open to the compassion of Jesus and His desire to heal them.
Time and again over the past 28 years after delivering beds and tables, refrigerators and food, I have handed someone a crucifix with the words, "This is the man who sent you the furniture."
Their reply is always the same, "I never would have made it without Him" or "I know! He's always been there for me."
To the childlike, Jesus Christ is not someone they study; He is someone they know and rely upon. Jesus is the One who gives them hope when things seem hopeless.
All the knowledge of the rules of baseball cannot teach us what if feels like when a fast ball connects with the bat.
All the knowledge of the gospels, and of the most renowned theologian cannot teach us what it feels like to love and be loved by Jesus Christ.

"Love is not a matter of knowledge. It is a matter of knowing." - Unknown