IS 10:5-7, 13B-16
Psalm 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15
Gospel: MT 11:25-27 Full Readings
Childlike or Playing Wise?
We are presented, in today’s Gospel with Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for revealing things of the Kingdom to the childlike rather than the wise and learned. The question of reflection today is: is it better to be “wise and learned” or “childlike?” It is better to be childlike indeed, not only according to todays gospel but also in our ordinary life. It can seem strange to say that it’s not good to be wise and learned, but what that means is that it’s not good to be a person who thinks they have it all figured out. Taking ourselves to be wise and learned imbues in us pride and arrogance of knowing it all which not good at all. It’s not good to be so filled with pride that we think we have all the answers. Rather, even if we are learned and very wise, we should try to be childlike; it’s good to be one who is open, curious, and willing to learn, a distinctive characteristic of children.
Notice the difference, being childlike is not the same as being childish. To be childish means to be immature, irresponsible, foolish, frivolous, and silly. But being childlike is having those characteristics of children like humility, openness to learn, dependent, trusting, dependent, loving and others. Being childlike is being humble enough to accept the fact of human limitation, to see purely without pretense and acknowledge our dependence and trust in the one who is greater, wiser, and more trustworthy. Thinking that we are very wise is in fact foolishness and just playing wise because even God's foolishness is wiser than the wisest man on earth. This doesn't mean we should not learn and become clever and even become scholars; in fact in the present world we need educated clergy and Christians. But what is our attitude after being learned? Whether young or old, being childlike is a desirable quality. God revealed the things of the kingdom to the childlike because they were humble, open and responsive to learning these things from Jesus who is the true revelation of God while the learned (Pharisees and Scribes) were busy blaming Jesus. They missed important things and chased air.
Jesus' prayer therefore is a warning to the proud, and that pride can keep us from the love and knowledge of God. What makes us ignorant and blind to the things of God is intellectual pride, coldness of heart, and stubbornness of will that shut out God and his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness. Pride is the root of all vice and the strongest influence propelling us to sin. It first vanquishes the heart, making it cold and indifferent towards God. It also closes the mind to God's truth and wisdom for our lives. What is pride? It is the inordinate love of oneself at the expense of others and the exaggerated estimation of one's own learning and importance.
Just as pride is the root of every sin and evil, so childlike humility is the only soil in which the grace of God can take root, in which things of heaven find a place in us. It alone takes the right attitude before God and allows him, as God, to do all. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Only the humble in heart can receive true wisdom and understanding of God and his ways.
Do you submit to God's word with simple trust and humility? Or are just playing to be wise and that you do not need divine intervention in your life. See the times you have played as if you are the know-it-all in your family, in your school, in choir, in church, at your workplace, and everywhere you go. Learn from it and pray to become more childlike everyday.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission. Amen
Be blessed
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