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My conversion was and still is an intellectual journey. I was catechized by thoughtful priests, deacons, and catechists who patiently explained even the silliest of questions such as, "Why do you say "Ah-men" instead of "Aay-men"? Or, "How come you Catholics don't capitalize God's personal pronoun, He/Him?" My other catechist was the Sunday Missal and its readings, responses and prayers, which led me – rather adult-like -- into the Liturgy.<ref>Reading the Missal during Mass both opened my mind and led to many a question for our poor Priest and Deacon who ever and joyfully answered my questions after Mass, even while standing in the January cold. </ref>       
My conversion was and still is an intellectual journey. I was catechized by thoughtful priests, deacons, and catechists who patiently explained even the silliest of questions such as, "Why do you say "Ah-men" instead of "Aay-men"? Or, "How come you Catholics don't capitalize God's personal pronoun, He/Him?" My other catechist was the Sunday Missal and its readings, responses and prayers, which led me – rather adult-like -- into the Liturgy.<ref>Reading the Missal during Mass both opened my mind and led to many a question for our poor Priest and Deacon who ever and joyfully answered my questions after Mass, even while standing in the January cold. </ref>       


I came through [[Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)|RCIA]] and into the Church intellectually, so then, as yet now, I felt that faith without reason, i.e. "childlike", is not a complete faith.     
I came through [[Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)|RCIA]] and into the Church intellectually, so I felt that faith without reason, i.e. "childlike", is not a complete faith.     


It was during RCIA that I started this website, as I wanted to track and process all that we were learning. My very first entry here was a futile attempt to interpret and summarize the Catechism. (I learned quickly that with the Catechism no paraphrasing is needed.<ref>if you must, [[Catechism summaries]]</ref>) Far more useful was my [[Glossary of terms for catechism of the Catholic faith|Glossary of Terms]], with which I processed definitions, word origins, and concepts, and which now holds several hundred entries that have helped me to sort through my faith.  
It was during RCIA that I started this website, as I wanted to track and process all that we were learning. My very first entry was a futile attempt to interpret and summarize the Catechism. (I learned quickly that with the Catechism no paraphrasing is needed.<ref>if you must, [[Catechism summaries]]</ref>) Far more useful was my [[Glossary of terms for catechism of the Catholic faith|Glossary of Terms]], with which I process definitions, word origins, and concepts, and which now holds several hundred entries that have helped me to sort through my faith and Church.  


But most helpful of all St. Pope John Paul II’s “[[Two Wings of Truth: gifts of faith and reason|two wings]]” of faith and reason, the idea that our belief and overall faith is strengthened when bolstered by both faith (belief) and reason (intellect). The concept was earlier and fully expressed by St. Thomas Aquinas, who had explored proofs of God in observation and logic. Aquinas understood, however, that reason alone can neither fully comprehend nor find God, and so we need faith, which the Holy Spirit empowers us into -- both spiritually and intellectually. Aquinas distinguished between the Gifts of the Holy spirit that empower reason and those that empower faith.   
Most helpful of all was to learn at RCIA of St. Pope John Paul II’s “[[Two Wings of Truth: gifts of faith and reason|two wings]]” of faith and reason, the idea that our belief and overall faith is strengthened when bolstered by both faith (belief) and reason (intellect). The concept was earlier and fully expressed by St. Thomas Aquinas, who had explored proofs of God in observation and logic. Aquinas understood, however, that reason alone can neither fully comprehend nor find God, and so we need faith, which the Holy Spirit empowers us into -- both spiritually and intellectually. Aquinas distinguished between the Gifts of the Holy spirit that empower reason and those that empower faith.   


Saints Aquinas and John Paul empowered my quest to unite faith with reason -- only not in faith "like a child," but with my intellect as an adult.  
Saints Aquinas and John Paul inspired my quest to unite faith with reason -- only not in a faith "like a child," but with my intellect as an adult.  


So convinced, [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?25 Matthew 11:25] has remained a mystery to me.  
So convinced, [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?25 Matthew 11:25] has remained a mystery to me.  
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== "the wise and the learned" ==
== "the wise and the learned" ==
  ''for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned''
  ''for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned''
Of course in the passage, "the wise and learned" are the priests and scribes of Israel who refused to believe Jesus was the Christ (see footnote to [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?27 Mt. 11:25]). In his prayer to the Father, Jesus contrasts them to the "childlike" who do accept him as the Son of God.  
Of course in the passage, "the wise and learned" are the priests and scribes of Israel who refused to believe Jesus was the Christ (see footnote to [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?27 Mt. 11:25]). In his prayer to the Father, Jesus contrasts them with the "childlike" who do accept him as the Son of God.  


Yet, it wasn't so easy for those believing "children," either. In a rational calculation of the strength of the wind, Peter faltered in belief and, but for Jesus, nearly drowned ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?30 Mt 14:30]); many if not most of the disciples walked away in reasonable hygienic caution when Jesus offered them "his flesh to eat" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?30 Jn 6:52]); Philip rationally calculated that it would take upward a year's salary to buy enough bread to feed all those people ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?7 Jn 6:7]). On and on until that first, fullest declaration of Jesus as God, by Thomas, who very adult-like had just wanted a little more proof ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20:28 Jn 20:28]).  
Yet, it wasn't so easy for those believing "children," either. In a rational calculation of the strength of the wind, Peter faltered in belief and, but for Jesus, nearly drowned ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?30 Mt 14:30]); many if not most of the disciples walked away in reasonable hygienic caution when Jesus offered them "his flesh to eat" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/14?30 Jn 6:52]); Philip rationally calculated that it would take upward a year's salary to buy enough bread to feed all those people ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?7 Jn 6:7]). On and on until that first, fullest declaration of Jesus as God, by Thomas, who very adult-like had just wanted a little more proof ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20:28 Jn 20:28]).  
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== What childlike is and is not ==
== What childlike is and is not ==
When Jesus revealed himself to the "childlike" he wasn't dumbing-down his divinity. He demands thought and reason in his followers, and then helps them to build a logic of faith (and chose St. Paul to argue it!). But, ''verily, verily'', as he might say, reason has its limits, and it is by the Grace of the Father that Jesus reveals himself to those willing to look beyond the limits of their comprehension and simply believe.  
When Jesus revealed himself to the "childlike" he wasn't dumbing-down his divinity. He demands thought and reason in his followers, and then helps them to build a logic of faith (and chose St. Paul to teach it!). But, ''verily, verily'', as he might say, reason has its limits, and it is by the Grace of the Father that Jesus reveals himself to those willing to look beyond the limits of their comprehension and simply believe.  


So let us here flush out some meaning, so that we can more fully understand.  
So let us here flush out some meaning, so that we can more fully understand.  
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|''unquestioning''
|''unquestioning''
|}
|}
Those characterizations do not work in the context of having a -- the Father.  
Those characterizations do not work in the context of having a -- the Father. One simply doesn't approach one's father ignorance, nor even without questioning (every father and mother knows the words, "Why? Why? Why!").  


For sure to be childlike we must be dependent, obedient, submissive-- that's the entire point! -- to the Father. For without the Father, we live under the illusions of being:  
For sure, to be childlike we must be dependent, obedient, submissive-- that's the entire point! -- to the Father. For without the Father, we live under the illusions of being:  
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Without the Father
|+Without a -- the Father
!What we think we are
!What we think we are
!What we actually are
!What we actually are
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|orphaned
|orphaned
|}
|}
As we have seen, "wise", "learned" and "childlike" are not incompatible qualities. But Jesus doesn't care about that - whoever we are, whatever our intellect or station, he wants us to be holy. To be holy, we must believe, accept and obey the Father. Let's review:
As we have seen, "wise", "learned" and "childlike" are not incompatible qualities. But Jesus doesn't care about that - whoever we are, whatever our intellect or station, he wants us to be holy children who believe, accept and obey the Father.  
 
Let's review:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!The wise and the learned
!The wise and the learned
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|self-sufficient
|self-sufficient
|dependent
|dependent
|-
|self-sure
|humble
|}
|}
Now, wise, learned and childlike are not incompatible qualities. But Jesus doesn't care about that - whoever we are, whatever our intellect or station, he wants us to be '''HOLY'''. To be holy, we must believe, accept and obey the Father.
The Lord wants us to reason -- but with faith and not blind in faith. And he warns us against letting our intellect betray our faith, lest we come to see ourselves governed only by ourselves.
 
Upon reflection, it fits perfectly with the Beatitudes, which require truly childlike belief in order to fulfill. It fits perfectly with the Virtues


Now let's add to it the Beatitudes, and it all falls in place:
== The Son ==
Let's step back and review [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?25 Matthew 11:25-27] in full, verses the NABRE labels, '''Praise of the Father:'''
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."<ref>The quotation does not stop here, although modern Scripture separates it from the subsequent, '''The Gentle Mystery of Christ''', Jesus' beautiful plea to accept and find refuge in him ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?28 Mt 11:28-30]) and which most people will recognize from verse 30:<pre>
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
</pre></ref>
What's all this "Father" and "Son" business?  It's all over the Gospel, but here it is intense. I won't stand by the claim, but it seems to be the most dense collection of both "Father" and "Son" in the Gospel verses.<ref>Here for a search of occurrences of both "Father" and "Son": [https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?qs_version=NABRE&quicksearch=Father+Son&begin=47&end=47 BibleGateway - Keyword Search: Father Son]</ref>
 
Hmm... God is telling us something here, something about our true nature, and inviting us to retrieve it. When the Son reveals the Father to us, here must be the adoption that Paul talks about,
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?15 Rom 5:15])
We must all too easily utter this word, "Father." We use it all the time, but when so earnestly? 
 
No wonder the "Desert Mother,"<ref>I don't have a reference to this story, which I heard in an interview with Father Spitzer. Here for the [http://www.ldysinger.com/@texts/0400_apophth/greek_alph/00a_start.htm Sayings of the Desert Fathers]</ref> she, tuned to the Spirit of God, could not, as the story goes, get past the first line of the Our Father prayer, instead sobbing in wonder at the notion that God is "Our Father."  (Such a perfect combination of the two wings!)
 
Jesus is praying for us to think upon the Father as if we are his children, to live as if we have a God who is our Father. It's extraordinary to think about!
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!The wise and the learned
!a god who is not a father
!The childlike
!God who is the Father
!the Beatitudes
|-
|distrustful
|trusting
| rowspan="13" |
* '''poor in spirit'''
* '''mourning'''
* '''meek'''
* '''hungering and thirsting'''
* '''for righteousness'''
* '''merciful'''
* '''peacemakers'''
* '''persecuted &''' '''hated for''' '''following''' '''Christ'''
* '''rejoiceful in God'''
|-
|insincere
|honest
|-
|self-justified
|pure
|-
|deceitful
|candid
|-
|dismissive
|respectful
|-
|-
|doubtful
|detached
|open-minded
|all-present
|-
|tricky, deceptive
|cunning without guile
|-
|compromised
|innocent
|-
|-
|closed-minded
|uncaring
|curious
|all-loving
|-
|-
|complicated
|arbitrary
|straight-forward
|all-concerned
|-
|-
|selfish
|egoistic
|meek
|all-knowing
|-
|-
|cynical
|arbitrary
|amazed
|just
|-
|-
|self-sufficient
|not a creator
|dependent
|creator
|}
|}
The Lord wants us to reason -- but with faith and not blind in faith. And he warns us against letting our intellect betray our faith, lest we come to see ourselves governed only by ourselves.
With all the reason we can muster, Jesus wants us to approach the Father with pure hearts and minds, like children to the most beautiful and most perfect Father. It's a conversation we carry on whenever we recite the prayer that Jesus taught us simpletons to say in recognition that we have a -- the Father:
 
With all the reason we can muster, Jesus wants us to approach the Father with simple, pure hearts and minds. It's a conversation we carry on every day, especially when we recite the prayer that Jesus taught us simpletons to say in recognition that we have a -- the Father:


  Our Father, who art in heaven,  
  Our Father, who art in heaven,  
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Michael,  
Michael,  


July 31, 2024 by Michael
Aug 1, 2024 by Michael<br>
<br>
<center>''St. Joseph, pray for us!''</center>
<center>''St. Joseph, pray for us!''</center>
<br>
<br>
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