Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
Isa 11:1-10
Lk 10:21-24
Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it
In today’s gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, said “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children…for that is what it pleased you to do”.
This passage puzzles me greatly. Logically, Jesus should be pleased with the wise for being educated in the faith. They probably put in effort to study the Bible, church doctrines and teachings. This is good right? Conversely, the babes (uneducated) are the opposite who have limited knowledge of the Bible. Yet, Jesus now seems displeased with the former. He says God hides knowledge from the wise (who make the effort) and only reveals it to babes. Perplexing indeed!
Fifteen years ago, my wife introduced me to the Bible Adventure series by renowned bible scholar Jeff Cavins. It sparked a lifelong interest in studying the bible. I even made two solo trips to Jerusalem to learn more. I would say that I am at least ‘educated’ in my faith. Yet, am I missing something important?
As I pondered this issue, I suddenly thought about a recent breakfast meeting with a close friend. He is an unabashed Sunday Catholic. He also does not read the Bible nor attend any religious talks. A real ‘babe’ of the faith.
We met for breakfast two days after he and his wife returned from Medjugore. Imagine my surprise when the first thing he said was to encourage me to go to Medjugore to visit Mother Mary. He even showed me the rosary that he was using to pray while waiting for me. It was given to him on his Confirmation, 48 years ago. He found it neatly wrapped in a box and opened it for the first time that day. I was shocked! He told me that he felt the presence of Jesus and Mother Mary and he found his faith. Now, he prays the rosary daily and even reads the gospel passage before Sunday mass.
Perhaps this is what Jesus meant in today’s gospel. Faith is the hidden knowledge that is revealed to babes. The educated rely on their knowledge and not on faith. I am like that. I like to discuss my religion with facts and experience. I now realise I don’t talk about faith.
I will try to change and to pray more. I will follow my friend by saying the rosary daily when I wake up and see if it helps my faith.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that you help us to be always faithful to your teachings.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Mother Mary, for bringing faith to the wise and babes alike.
OXYGEN 
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