GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed:

“I give praise to you, 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 the Son except the Father,

and no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

The word of the Lord

 

Receiving everything

What do the little ones have that the wise do not? Jesus shows us two attitudes of the heart. The little ones are easily amazed; they ask questions, they trust, they recognise that they do not know, they allow themselves to be taught, and with simplicity they receive everything from their parents. We are all born with a child’s heart, but the pride inherited from original sin gradually makes us self‑sufficient. It is the same temptation from Genesis: “You will be like gods” (Gen 3:5). And so the “wise and learned” begin to appear: I stop asking, I stop seeking help, I stop listening, I refuse correction… I am so full of myself and my certainties that I no longer need to receive anything. And when I stop receiving, I stop being small.

The “wise and learned” in marriage think: “I already know what you’re like,” “You always do the same,” “You’re never going to change,” “I know you inside out.” Meanwhile, the little one thinks: “Lord, help me,” “I need your grace,” “I need my spouse,” “I need to learn how to love.” The more full we are of ourselves, the less room the Lord finds to reveal the secrets of his Heart. That is why today Jesus gives thanks to the Father, because he still finds little souls — those who, when they do not understand, continue to trust. That trust is the doorway through which the Father reveals his secrets. And the Father’s secrets are not conquered; they are received with a child’s heart.

Is my heart one of these?

Applied to married couples

James and Carmen had planned to go out for dinner together after an exhausting week. But at the last minute the washing machine breaks, the kitchen floods, and one of the children starts running a fever. The perfect plan collapses.

James: (mopping up water, visibly frustrated) What a disaster! And I was so looking forward to tonight…

Carmen: Love, look at me for a moment. My controlling side is protesting on the inside too, but I’d like to say what Jesus said: “Yes, Father, for this is what you have willed.”

James: You can really say that right now?

Carmen: It doesn’t come naturally. It comes from faith. I would also have chosen a different kind of evening, but the Father has allowed this one. And if He has allowed it, it must be because He wants to give us something here too.

James: My plan was to have dinner in a restaurant.

Carmen: And God’s plan seems to be caring for our child and bailing out water together.

(James smiles for the first time all evening.)

James: Well then, let’s order a pizza and finish clearing this up.

Carmen: Yes, Father, for this is what you have willed.

 

Mother,

Grant me a small heart that does not need to understand everything, and teach me each day to discover the Father’s hidden gifts. Blessed and praised are you!