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, a colleague 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 have unsuccessfully squared it with my experience with Scripture and my own faith.

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, deacons, and catechists who patiently explained even the silliest of questions such as, "Why do you say "Ah-men" instead fo "Aay-men"? Or, "How come you Catholics don't capitalize "He" in reference to God? Most helpful was the Sunday Missal, with the readings, responses and prayers, which led me – rather adult-like -- into the Liturgy.  And I came through RCIA and into the Church intellectually.

And so, then as now, I feel that faith without reason, i.e. childlike, is not a complete faith.

It was in 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 the Catechism itself is a summary of the entire Christian and Catholic faith -- no paraphrasing needed.) Far more useful was the Glossary of Terms, in which I processed words and concepts, and which now holds several hundred entries that have helped me to sort out my faith.

Most helpful was to learn of St. Pope John Paul’s “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 did not originate in but was expressed by Thomas Aquinas who looked explored proofs of God in observation and logic. However, Aquinas understood that reason alone can neither fully comprehend nor find God, and so we depend upon our faith, ultimately, and the Holy Spirit to empower us into it, both spiritually and intellectually. Aquinas called these the "Gifts of Faith and Reason." John Paul's have helped enormously, and empowered my quest to unite faith with reason. Not just faith, like a child, but with my intellect as an adult.

So 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.

From the mouths of babes

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8?3

Matthew, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB

On Palm Sunday, as the "children outside the Temple sang,"Hosanna to the Son of David," the pharasees, "the wise and the learned," were "indignant," writes Matthew (Mt 21:15).

Jesus replies to them,

“Do you hear what they are saying? Yes; and have you never read the text, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise’?” (Mt 21:16)

Jesus, as he so often did with "the wise and the learned," sent them back to their own Scripture, in this case to Psalm 8:2-3:

O LORD, our Lord,

how awesome is your name through all the earth!

I will sing of your majesty above the heavens

with the mouths of babes and infants.

You have established a bulwark against your foes,

to silence enemy and avenger.

Even the "babes and infants" cry out the Lord's majesty! Of course they do -- they look upon the world in wonder and, to use one of my favorite terms from Scripture, "amazement."

Jesus rewards the simple, the pure of heart, and he condemns those who let their intellect betray their faith.

> the blind = ancient world metaphor for wise, not fooled by their eyes

> Thomas: "those who believe"

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.

Like the child saint?

The Archangel Michael first appeared to Saint Joan of Arc when she was thirteen -- no longer a child, but young, indeed. And at sixteen, when she announced her mission, she was certainly young enough to be dismissed by nearly all as mere delusioned, annoying child. When the most magnificent Maiden, Jeanne la Pucelle, as she called herself, came to head the French Army she was but seventeen.-- legally, in our day, a child.

My edition of the Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, begins with a fascinating observation from the great Hungarian revolutionary, Louis Kosuth,

Consider this unique and imposing distinction. Since the writing of human history began, Joan of Arc is the only person, of either sex, who has ever held supreme command of the military forces of a nation at the age of seventeen

(I had to look up Alexander of Macedon's age, and, indeed, he took the throne at age 20 and started his invasion of Asia at age 22. -- oh, and Joan had a horse given her by the Duke of Alencon, the King's brother, equal to Alexander's famed Bucephalus.)

As did Jesus, Joan confounded "the wise and the learned" -- anyone, that is, who felt in any way threatened by her, which included, especially the Bishopry.

Here we can flush out some meaning

> wise and learned = self-interested, doubtful, distrusting, compromised, and insincere

> childlike = trusting, honest, pure, candid and sincere.

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Notes:

The Lord wants us to reason -- but with faith and not to blind our faith.