The Praise of the Father

Today's Reflections 

      

The Praise of the Father

Mt 11:25-30

[On one occasion,] ²⁵Jesus said, “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. ²⁶Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. ²⁷All 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.

²⁸“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

COME TO ME. After reproaching the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not repenting despite seeing his mighty deeds (cf Mt 11:20-24), Jesus draws attention to the kind of people who welcome his teaching and call for a change of heart. They are the “childlike” (Greek nepioi). These are people who are open to Jesus’ preaching and refuse to be arrogant, the opposite of “the wise and the learned” who reject Jesus and refuse to see the significance of his mighty deeds. The childlike accept Jesus not because of special gifts; rather, it is because the Father’s revelation is directed to and finds welcome among the simple, the humble, and the meek. And Jesus presents himself precisely as meek and humble of heart.

Jesus is a man of peace; he takes upon himself our sufferings and infirmities. He gives people rest from their burdens and labors. “Rest” here goes beyond physical relief from hard work. It symbolizes happiness and joy and the fulfillment of our deepest desires. True rest is in God, and it is only by following Jesus that we will achieve this rest. St. Augustine expresses this truth in his famous prayer, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the symbol of love

without condition, without end. Jesus invites all—

especially those burdened with sin—

to come to him and find peace and rest in him.