Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Only in three places in Matthew’s Gospel do we have a glimpse of Jesus’ intimate prayer with the Father; today’s text, the agony in the garden and as he hangs upon the cross. Much like when he teaches his disciples to pray, Jesus uses the Aramaic term ‘Abba’ in reference to God, here translated as ‘Father’, but typically used in a more familiar sense, (much like ‘Dad’). What is significant here, is that typically this term would rarely, if ever, be used in Jewish worship as a reference for God. This shows Jesus intimate relationship he has with the Father, but also in calling his disciples to use the same term, it shows the intimate bond God yearns to have with us.

In the next few lines Jesus speaks of the revelation of his intimate relationship with the Father as to his disciples. In referring to the “wise and the learned”, Jesus reveals that intelligence is not the key to a relationship with God, but rather, faith. And particularly faith in him. To be ‘childlike’, as Jesus remarks in the Gospels is a sign innocence and receptivity. Children are guileless and open. The call of the disciple is to be open to receive Jesus’ teaching. All of this is dependent upon God’s ‘gracious will’ or free gift given lovingly to his children.

Jesus moves on to make the extraordinary claim of ‘Sonship’. That all things are handed over to him from the Father and it is their intimate relationship which enables those invited in as God’s children and recognized by Jesus to realize Jesus as Lord.

Did you ever meet a ‘know it all’? Someone who always knows better than everyone else in the room how things should be done. Maybe you yourself are a ‘know it all’ – though people who behave this way rarely have insight into their own behavior. It can be really annoying.

In in the previous days texts Jesus has been railing against the lack of faith, especially from the leaders of the people; the Scribes and Pharisees. These ‘know it all’s’ have no room in their hearts or heads for anyone else, but themselves. So, when Jesus prays the intimate prayer in today’s text from Matthew, he is really addressing his frustration and gratitude to his Father. In his prayer he thanks God that he has hidden these things from the ‘wise and the learned’ (the know it all’s) and revealed them to the ‘childlike’. The childlike - NOT the childish. Often people will mistake the two. When Jesus uses the term, he alludes to the openness and receptivity a child who is enraptured or fascinated by something new might have. Their wide-eyed curiosity and innocence shines through. When you hold the two images in comparison – the ‘know it all’ – consumed with self and having no room to see something new, and the childlike, full of awe and wonder, the analogy is complete.

Jesus prays for the childlike – for you and me to be open and in awe of what God can do for us as we open our hearts and minds. To do this, we must let go of preconceived notions and assumptions. We have to stand in awe and wonder fathoming a God who is so far beyond our comprehension and who has revealed himself in his Son. A Son who yearns to show us what the Father looks like. But we have to empty ourselves first and stand innocent and vulnerable before him.

I sometimes think I know everything. That I have it all together and I am in total control. But that is a lie I tell myself. The truth is I am totally indebted to God, and I know or control very little. I am sure I am not alone in this so I invite you to join me in submitting your will to God, who is truly in control and seeks to love us if we let him.

Peace,

Fr. Steve