Fourteenth Sunday Gospel A     

Let me put this passage in context. Jesus in the verses prior to these talked about how many rejected John the Baptist because his message was hard. And many rejected Jesus in spite of his teachings, in spite of the signs and wonders they had observed and experienced. This passage helps to explain why. While many have rejected Jesus, others have accepted him. These are the ones he now addresses.

At that time Jesus 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. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

· This is one of the few prayers of Jesus to the Father recorded in the scriptures.

· For Jesus, the wise and the learned were those who should have been open to his teachings and recognized that signs and wonders he performed confirmed his teachings. But because of the hardness of their hearts, they refused.

· On the other hand, the childlike are those who are opened to the workings of God in their lives and accept without always understanding fully.

· The revelation is from God; the grace to accept that revelation is from God; the decision to do so is personal.

· Are we open to God’s message, even if it seems difficult? What revelations of the Gospel do we find the most challenging?

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.

· Jesus shares briefly about his intimacy with the Father. What is our relationship to Jesus and the Father like? How intimate?

 "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 your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." 

· The yoke was the cross bar that was fitted over the necks of the oxen as they pulled a cart. If it was well-made, it distributed the load evenly.

· In its original meaning Jesus was referring to the heavy burden that the Law had become because of the many extra laws humans added through interpretation. It became almost impossible to fulfill the Law, which was at the basis of their covenant relationship with God.

· What are the burdens and difficulties that tend to overwhelm us as we try to live in relationship with God?

· Jesus is inviting us to team up with him and to learn from him.  We don’t have to go it alone. Allow him to take the lead and to help us through those difficult situations of life. Only the childlike can do this.

· How can I respond to this invitation of Jesus in a practical way this week.