Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11:25

In his novel, Centennial, James Michener describe the difference between a clever individual and a person of insight. A clever individual knows how to do things, but he has never learnt to stretch his mind; never learnt to face himself. A person of insight, on the other hand, knows what kind of person he or she is.

Sophocles, whom Plato described as the wisest man he ever met, also stated that to “know thyself” is the beginning and root of all wisdom.

In today’s scripture passage, the Lord makes it clear, once again, that His message is addressed to the “merest children;” to those who have the spirit of the child; a spirit of openness to know the truth. Throughout His life, the Lord was criticized by the clever people of His day (see Matthew 15:1-20); those professional Scribes and Pharisees and Seduces who tried to undermine His message of love by quoting and twisting to their advantage minute details of the law. In instance after instance, the Lord exposed their insincerity by showing how they abused their authority as teachers by perverting the law to suit their own selfish desires.

It was to the ordinary, decent people of the day that the Lord announced the good news. When He called His disciples to follow Him, they were not learned as the world judges; they were simple fisherman for the most part. Only Paul was a scholar; but even Paul, a converted Pharisee, learnt that the wisdom of God is foolishness to men. Yet, disciples like Peter, James and John, with no formal education, wrote letters and a gospel that are full of priceless wisdom. Where did these simple folk get such wisdom?

Before the Lord left this earth, He told His followers that the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, would bring them to an understanding of what He taught them. And, to these meek and gentle followers, He told them not to worry about what to say if they are tried in synagogues or before governors or rulers for: “the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

The Lord’s message is offered to those possessing the spirit of the child; it is addressed to the pure of heart who know that the way to truth is only through love. That is something His disinterested critics failed to understand.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Liberty * * *