A Reading from the Holy 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.”
Reflection: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s Gospel Jesus praises the Father with a prayer of thanksgiving, for revealing divine truths to “childlike” people—those who are simple and open—instead of those who rely only on their own worldly wisdom or intellectual expertise; as He says, “the wise and the learned.”
When we hear “wise and the learned,” we might think of theologians or scholars. But Jesus isn’t referring to them or putting down education or the academically learned ones; He is critiquing the pride that sometimes comes with it, or even sneaks in, when one tries to be humble. Often, the highly educated or those who pride themselves on being in control, struggle to surrender their intellect to the mystery of faith. God’s grace doesn’t just fill our heads; it transforms our hearts.
To truly know God, we must let go of our need for control and our demand for answers, embracing instead a childlike spirit of wonder, trust, and openness. This is, of course, much easier said than done. “Practice what you preach, Carlos,” the Lord whispers to me through today’s Gospel. I must admit that I often struggle to step back, stop micromanaging outcomes with my own inputs, and simply let things flow. Yet, it is precisely in surrendering that heavy burden of control that we/I, can finally create space, to experience His presence and plan.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, a 13th-century Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure was one of the greatest minds and most brilliant theologians of the Middle Ages. He was an intellectual giant, who could have easily relied entirely, on his academic achievements. Yet, Bonaventure famously taught, that all the study in the world is completely useless, if it does not lead to a deeper love and devotion to God. He beautifully balanced his immense intellect with a profound simplicity, famously stating, that the soul must prioritize prayer over study, and devotion over mere knowledge. His example perfectly embodies today’s Gospel: despite being profoundly learned, his heart remained entirely childlike, placing his entire intellect at the service of divine love.
In our own busy lives, it’s very easy to approach our faith, with an “executive mindset”—trying to calculate, analyze, project, control, or logically explain aspects of our spiritual journey, or even find ourselves asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” and demanding a list of answers.
But instead, God often reveals Himself in quiet, and unexpected ways, to those who are patient and simple of heart. The childlike heart doesn’t demand immediate logical proof; it simply trusts, that the Father knows best.
Action for the day: Let’s reflect on Jesus’ Word in today’s Gospel, and the wisdom of Saint Bonaventure, letting all that sink in our hearts. Then, let’s ask the Lord for the grace, to help us step back from our overthinking, and pray to the Holy Spirit, for the disposition of a child, trusting in God’s providence, and allowing Him to reveal the depths of His love to us, in the quiet moments of our prayer.
Audio Reflection:
