29-Nov-06

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:

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."
The "childlike" listen and obey without fully understanding.
The disciples, unschooled fishermen that they were, had been given instructions by Jesus to go forth and preach the gospel, the "Good News," that God had sent Him to announce our Father's love and His forgiveness of His children.
Jesus told them to take nothing with them, no money; and not even an extra tunic or sandals or walking stick.
In "childlike" trust, they obeyed.
The Pharisees, scribes and scholars of the law, believed the Mosaic law to be superior to the wisdom of Jesus Christ. It would not have made sense to them to go off on a journey without proper preparation and supplies.
They, the "wise and the learned," loved to argue and debate with Jesus.
But, the Pharisees would not obey Him.

"In the false security of our self-sufficiency we tend to isolate obedience to God to the recesses of our hearts and minds. In our weakness, we pray in recognition that God is our only hope." - - Unknown