Blog:Salvation is for the "childlike"? Matthew 11:25

** DRAFT **

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.

While teaching at a Catholic high school, the Religion Department chair tried to convert me. I was not even baptized. I was one of those enlightened moderns who felt good about God and Jesus but not so much to be bothered by belief, and certainly not at the expense of "reason." One of her arguments was that I was over-intellectualizing faith: instead, I should approach God “like a child,” you know, "childlike."

Since my baptism about three years ago, whenever I have encountered Matthew 11:25, I am reminded of that conversation, and I unsuccessfully square it with my experience with Scripture.

Until today.

Today, a marvelous, truly wise, and truly learned Dominican priest unlocked what has been for years a troubling mystery for me.

The "Two Wings": Faith and Reason

My conversion was and still is an intellectual journey. I was catechized by thoughtful priests who patiently explained even the silliest of questions such as, "Why do you say "Ah-men" instead fo "Aay-men"?

Most impactful was the

and by the Sunday Missal, which helped me to understand – rather adult-like -- the Liturgy. I came through RCIA intellectually. I still feel that faith without reason, i.e. childlike faith, is not a complete faith.

St. Pope John Paul’s “two wings” of faith and reason have helped enormously, but until today Matthew 11:25, has remained a mystery.

"the wise and the learned"

Of course "the wise and learned" are the priests and scribes of Israel who refuse to believe in Christ (see footnote to Mt. 11:25 in the USCCB NABRE), and they are presented here in contrast to the "childlike", who accepted Jesus as the Christ -- and "childlike".

Yet, it wasn't so easy for those "children," either, Peter lost faith and nearly drowned; many if not most of the disciples walked away when Jesus told them to "eat him." On and on until the first, fullest declaration of Jesus as God by Thomas, who very adult-like wanted a little more proof.

Jesus did not say the "wise and the learned" cannot know the Father. He said that the Father had "hidden these things" from them.

His prayer to the Father in Matthew 11 concludes (Mt 11:27),

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."

Thus, Jesus could reveal the Father to "anyone."

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 

(-- perfect use of the word "grace," btw, attached to the Father's "will"! -- the source of all grace!)

Jesus The "wise" and 'learned"

I see that the Greek taken as “to the childlike” can also be seen as “to the innocent,” which fits context just as well as a contrast to “the wise and the learned.”  But that’s not the point!  Intellect that is humble is childlike. Intellect that yearns to find God is childlike. Intellect that submits to the Father is both childlike and innocent. Intellect that believes is like the child who adores and obeys his father

Child of the Father

"Childlike” our Priest explained, is to have a father – the Father. Childlike is to respect, recognized, obey and love the Father. A "childlike" faith is humble, honest, and yearning for the Father. Such faith may be that of a child -- pure, unquestioning love for one's protector.

>> every time my dog shows his love for me, unreasoned and unconditional, I stumble upon the intellect’s obstructions to pure faith.

But Jesus wants us to know the Father by believing in the Son. Of course – like the child of a father.

Intellectual purity requires "childlike" honesty.. Think about your latest outrage at hypocrisy -- what? how dare you hold others to what you dno't yourself?

It's not chldlike.