From the Pastor’s desk— July 9, 2023

  

You would think from today’s Gospel, Jesus does not want us to be smart when He says, “you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned but revealed them to the little ones…” (Matt 11:25) This passage highlights how God skipped speaking to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes, and the sages and spoke to the children, the innocent ones, the simple hearts.  It is a pattern that is repeated over and over throughout the centuries, especially in the lives of the apostles, St Francis, and St Therese of Lisieux (the little flower) who received no theological training but was declared a doctor of the Church for her deep insights into the ways of God.

The Gospel reading, and the second reading as well, were criticizing what was known as Gnosticism.  Gnosticism is a set of beliefs, sometimes a philosophy of life, and at other times has described itself as a religion.  Whereas it still exists in an adapted set of beliefs today, Jesus was criticizing those who thought (and this included some Jews) that salvation came through a secret knowledge that only some people possessed.  Salvation was for the enlightened few that filled themselves with the highest knowledge.  This mentality was quite present in the Enlightenment and even today for those who hold man will triumph by our intelligence and no longer depend on the need for a God.  

It is true we can grow in knowledge and knowledge is good to a degree, but Jesus reminds us it cannot replace God, the author of all knowing.  Jesus also brings out that there is a type of access to God that the innocent and simple of hearts have.  This is why Jesus sought out fisherman as apostles.   If Jesus had surrounded Himself with the intelligentsia of His day, the everyday person would not have listened to Him.   

What is the message for our young people today?  School is not important so you can drop out whenever you like.  No, school has its place in our world, but we must never think that our knowledge will save us, that our knowledge will be enough.  Jesus reminds us of the simple truth, we must come to God, we must trust in God, and turn over to God all our problems.  Too often we get stuck in the Messiah complex where we try to fix everything and forget to let Him guide us.  He can only guide us if we are willing to wear His yoke if we are willing to let Him point out the way. Following Jesus does not have to be complicated, love God, spend time with Him in prayer, especially for our enemies, and serve others, especially the most in need.  Jesus didn’t just share His message with Israel, He didn’t just bring it for a few elects, He brought it for everyone, and He expects every one of us to share it in word and deed.  

 

 

                     

 

With a heart for Mission,
Fr. Ray