DEPENDING ON REVELATION

“Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to You I offer praise; for what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children.” –Matthew 11:25

The Father reveals what has been hidden. The Son reveals the Father (Mt 11:27). God’s revelation is so precious. Contrary to the old saying, what we don’t know does hurt us. However, what we do know can do more than help us; it can transform us.

For example, Moses was a victim of Egyptian oppression. He never knew his parents. He had a speech defect. He was a murderer and a refugee (see Ex 2:11ff). However, when he received God’s revelation at the burning bush, he became a new man. His job, residence, and even his face (Ex 34:29) changed. He changed from a frightened refugee into a mighty liberator. God’s revelation to Moses resulted in the liberation of the whole Israelite nation. Revelation leads to transformation and liberation.

We receive divine revelation not by being learned and clever, but by being more dependent on the Lord than babies are on their parents (Mt 11:25). For instance, we can receive God’s revelation by going to Mass and receiving Holy Communion in an attitude of adoration and submission. We can receive revelation by praying, fasting, and knowing that without Jesus we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). We can also receive revelation by reading and living the Church’s teachings and the Bible without leaning on our own understanding (see Prv 3:5). We receive God’s revelation when we depend on Him. New life is in revelation.

PRAYER: Father, tell me “things great beyond reach of [my] knowledge” (Jer 33:3).

PROMISE: “Father, it is true. You have graciously willed it so. Everything has been given over to Me by My Father.” –Mt 11:26-27

PRAISE: St. Bonaventure’s humility was so great that he chose to finish washing the dishes before he would listen to the news of his being appointed cardinal.