THE WORD
Is 10,5-7.13-16 / Mt 11,25-27
At that time Jesus said in reply, “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. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
I’m amazed at the way Jesus addresses His Father. “I give you praise Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” Yes, I can feel that deep reverence oozing from His heart, from a loving Son so full of dignity and confidence knowing a Father so well. That grateful praise of a Son, acknowledging the truth of His Father’s Lordship over heaven and earth, is truly expressive of His intimacy with His Father. “Ang Papa ko, ang galing niya! Gumagawa siya ng silya, mesa, bahay, at aluminum mugs!” ( My Papa, he’s great! He makes chairs, tables, houses, and aluminum mugs!”) I remember proudly and happily telling my little playmates this in primary school. This joy and confidence in my Papa’s skills deepened my knowledge of who Papa was, as I observed him chisel, hammer, or shave his work of art with calmness and accuracy, and still had time for story telling at home at the day’s end. I can picture myself hanging around his neck, after quietly admiring how he made his day. Somehow I can relate with Jesus’ praise-filled depths.
Jesus makes it possible for us to experience the great and intense love of His very own Father, opening our life to a deep and personal knowledge of a Loving Papa-God; a Child–Father connection filled with love, simplicity, trust, humility, and dependence. This core connection allows us to discover more sacred realizations hidden from the unloving, untrusting, non-simple and proud; for only the humble and simple of heart can receive the wisdom of God to be able to understand His ways of love each day that comes.
May we open ourselves to the Great Spirit who will help us strengthen that core connection we have with our Papa-God.
- Sr. Tessa D. Artita, SSpS | Tarlac City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
