14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 9/7/2023 - Gospel: Mt 11: 25-30
Divine Wisdom
Giving is a gift of the heart; only heartfelt thanks is an appropriate response; nothing else can substitute for it. The equation between giving and receiving is impossible to measure, because no amount of thanks could ever be enough. If one tries to repay an act of kindness with wealth; it would betray the goodness of the giver's heart. To give without expecting to receive in return is Jesus' teaching. We receive many gifts from God, and often take them for granted.
It is impossible for us to give enough thanks to God. What we lack is made perfect in Jesus.
'I bless you, Father,.... for revealing them to mere children. Mt. 11,42'.
Jesus blesses the Father for us. He thanks the Father for the gift he didn't receive. We receive the gift of faith, and Jesus thanks the Father for us. His thanks make our thanks perfect; because of the unity between the Father and the Son. This is not the first time Jesus gives thanks to the Father. Elsewhere, Jesus gives thanks to the Father not for his own sake; but for the sake of his disciples,
'Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but I speak for the sake of all these who stand around me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me'. Jn 11,42.
Jesus gives thanks to the Father not for his own benefit but for the benefit of his hearers. His thanks are not normal thanks; but holy. Jesus makes his thanks become a form of prayer, a prayer that flows from his loving heart. His prayer reveals the unity of the Father and the Son. The two are so united that the Father always pleases to hear the Son, and the Son is so pleased to carry out the Father's will.
Jesus grants those who listen to him to be his own children; and are united to the Father. Children are open to new things and love to learn. When faced with difficulty, they seek help from their parents; and gladly accept help from them.
Becoming children of God are wise in God's eyes; because they are able to discern God's voice from other voices. In saying 'yes' to God, they accept the divine's voice; and reject all worldly voices. This alone makes them wise.
Those who listen to Jesus, would never be alone; but God is always with them to strengthen their weaknesses and failures. This recognition makes them realize that they are vulnerable; and need help from both our fellow men and most importantly from God. Jesus is their wisdom and the source of life. Through him, they come to know the Father. Jesus gives thanks to God for revealing this heavenly wisdom to people who are humble of heart.
There are two sources of wisdom: the heavenly one and the earthly one. The former opens our mind and heart to accept Jesus as our Lord and God; while the latter one closes a person's mind and heart to God. The former helps us to know our weakness, and dependence on God; while the latter one is worldly reliance. They rely on their own wealth and wisdom.
We follow Jesus not to escape life's heavy burden, but to face it courageously because it is a reality of life. We try hard to carry our own cross to follow. Jesus says those who carry their own cross to follow him will gain eternal life. Every time we feel the weight of the cross and fall; we look at the cross with the hope to find the strength, and courage to stand up, and go on. Hope alone lightens life's heavy burden because hope brings life. Hope in Jesus is even better because he promises eternal life.
Rest is a pause to regain strength. Rest for our souls means to rest in Christ. It is the indication of resting in God's kingdom. Choosing to carry our own cross to follow Jesus is another heavenly wisdom. God alone has the everlasting rest offered to those who follow his way. We thank God for the gift of faith.
It is impossible for us to give enough thanks to God. What we lack is made perfect in Jesus.
'I bless you, Father,.... for revealing them to mere children. Mt. 11,42'.
Jesus blesses the Father for us. He thanks the Father for the gift he didn't receive. We receive the gift of faith, and Jesus thanks the Father for us. His thanks make our thanks perfect; because of the unity between the Father and the Son. This is not the first time Jesus gives thanks to the Father. Elsewhere, Jesus gives thanks to the Father not for his own sake; but for the sake of his disciples,
'Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but I speak for the sake of all these who stand around me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me'. Jn 11,42.
Jesus gives thanks to the Father not for his own benefit but for the benefit of his hearers. His thanks are not normal thanks; but holy. Jesus makes his thanks become a form of prayer, a prayer that flows from his loving heart. His prayer reveals the unity of the Father and the Son. The two are so united that the Father always pleases to hear the Son, and the Son is so pleased to carry out the Father's will.
Jesus grants those who listen to him to be his own children; and are united to the Father. Children are open to new things and love to learn. When faced with difficulty, they seek help from their parents; and gladly accept help from them.
Becoming children of God are wise in God's eyes; because they are able to discern God's voice from other voices. In saying 'yes' to God, they accept the divine's voice; and reject all worldly voices. This alone makes them wise.
Those who listen to Jesus, would never be alone; but God is always with them to strengthen their weaknesses and failures. This recognition makes them realize that they are vulnerable; and need help from both our fellow men and most importantly from God. Jesus is their wisdom and the source of life. Through him, they come to know the Father. Jesus gives thanks to God for revealing this heavenly wisdom to people who are humble of heart.
There are two sources of wisdom: the heavenly one and the earthly one. The former opens our mind and heart to accept Jesus as our Lord and God; while the latter one closes a person's mind and heart to God. The former helps us to know our weakness, and dependence on God; while the latter one is worldly reliance. They rely on their own wealth and wisdom.
We follow Jesus not to escape life's heavy burden, but to face it courageously because it is a reality of life. We try hard to carry our own cross to follow. Jesus says those who carry their own cross to follow him will gain eternal life. Every time we feel the weight of the cross and fall; we look at the cross with the hope to find the strength, and courage to stand up, and go on. Hope alone lightens life's heavy burden because hope brings life. Hope in Jesus is even better because he promises eternal life.
Rest is a pause to regain strength. Rest for our souls means to rest in Christ. It is the indication of resting in God's kingdom. Choosing to carry our own cross to follow Jesus is another heavenly wisdom. God alone has the everlasting rest offered to those who follow his way. We thank God for the gift of faith.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
