My Sisters and Brothers:
In today’s Gospel Jesus proclaimed: “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 little ones” (see Matthew 11:25). We know those “little ones” were the true children of God, but as we contemplate these words it’s a good idea to recall the constant conflict between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees, the “religious leaders” of the time. It was exactly them, the so-called “wise and the learned,” about whom Jesus had referred in this passage. And so with this in mind, we can better understand Jesus’ concluding words in this same passage in which he says “my yoke is easy and my burden light” (see verse 30). In fact, we can say all of Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel were a direct criticism of such “religious leaders” whom he exposed as utter hypocrites. While there are many such passages demonstrating this conflict, we might also wish to look ahead to the twenty-third chapter of Matthew where Jesus emphatically denounced them in what’s called “the Eight Woes” (see chapter 23, verses1-39). Among other things in that part of the Gospel, Jesus had warned his disciples: “Do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example . . . for they preach but they do not practice . . . they tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them” (see Matthew 23:3-4). This is exactly why Jesus spoke of his own “yoke” as “easy” and his “burden light.” It’s also precisely why he warned against “the wise and the learned,” and why he contrasted them with the “little ones” who as God’s children actually had true “knowledge of the Father.”
As we contemplate this passage, and as we attempt to interpret it within the context of our own time and place, we may ask: “Who are the modern day Scribes and Pharisees?” We hope our contemporary “religious leaders” avoid any type of pharisaical way of doing things, and certainly it’s very disheartening when such is found to be true! But if we look a little closer, we might even be honest and admit such tendencies could exist within our own hearts and/or within our own local faith communities. Sadly, we may in fact be one of those very “self-righteous” within the church who think that they “know it all.” It seems to me such people are never able to open their minds to different ways of thinking. And isn’t it true such people often cause arguments within the community and are those who are the source of strife and division? In contrast, when Jesus identified himself and his true followers as “meek and humble of heart,” I believe he was also specifically criticizing such “self-righteous” people.
The “wise and the learned” whom Jesus criticized were those who pompously observed rules, who rigorously studied the Scriptures, and who pretentiously claimed to have all knowledge about who God is and what he expected from his people. Even so, they were complete hypocrites because they were actually only “dressed-up” as “religious people,” and they didn’t really have genuine faith. And so it was just about impossible for them to change their hearts and to accept the Good News of Jesus. Also, because of their blindness and their stubbornness of heart, they were incapable of accepting the radical changes Jesus demanded from his followers. In contrast, his disciples were called to be “open-minded,” and like those “little ones” who had true “knowledge of the Father” and who put it into practice in the way they lived their lives. This is our calling too!
My friends, let’s never be obstinate and pharisaical in our own lives of faith. Rather, let’s always be like those “little ones” who truly are able to grasp the meaning of Jesus words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest . . . take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves . . . for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” In this most liberating way we will know the Father, and we will be able to follow him authentically! Then, by the way we live our lives, and especially in the manner we kindly relate and compassionately place ourselves in service to others, we will be true children of God!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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