At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants…”St. Matthew 11:25
We would never think that an infant, or even a small child, could survive by himself. Very small children are dependent upon adults, and children understand that. They look to their parents and to the other adults in their lives to take care of their needs.
Those who were closest to Christ were like that. They knew they did not have the answers to life all by themselves. They understood that they were unable to carry life’s burdens and solve life’s problems without God’s help, and it was this understanding that brought them to be dependent upon God. It was for those who were “infants” – simple people, people who admitted their dependence upon God – that Christ was giving thanks to His Father. It is to these dependent and simple ones that God reveals the treasure of His wisdom and love.
But according to Christ, who were those furthest from Him? It wasn’t the notorious sinner – in fact, Jesus was constantly criticized for being too intimate with sinners. No, the people furthest from Christ were those referred to by Him as the “wise and understanding.” And this has nothing to do with intelligence or education; rather, Christ was referring to those who were confident that they had all the answers. Experience tells us that any discussion with that kind of person is no discussion at all. Such a person is quite certain he knows everything. Such persons are unreachable because they are closed to the vision of God’s love which was shown in the coming of Jesus Christ. These were the people who were always looking for ways to trap Jesus, and who were constantly demanding a “sign” – something so overwhelming as to force belief – but Jesus never granted demands like that, because faith cannot be compelled, any more than love can be compelled.
_________________________________
Image: "Lord of All Nations" by Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973)