“At that time, Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:25–27.
Today’s gospel reveals the necessary spiritual state that one must be in to come to truly know and ultimately see God. Our Lord speaks of these hidden things that are revealed to the infants or the childlike. Many times, this passage is read, and it is assumed that He means being immature in some way. This is not the case. A spiritual infancy is likened to one that is truly humble and completely reliant on God. This is indicated by what comes after today’s Gospel passage. Our Lord continues His teaching:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30.
In other translations gentle and lowly in heart is translated as meek and humble of heart. This is the context that today’s Gospel passage needs to be read in. Our Lord is exhorting us to a humility that is imitative of Him. Once we reduce ourselves and are brought low, we will be disposed to see the One whom Christ reveals.
Truly, this is the most necessary work to be done in our souls. God is always ready to lavish His grace on us, but in many cases, we must be predisposed to receive it and to cooperate with it. Yes, this preparation is also a work of grace, but we are not stagnant. We are not the Quietists of old who advocated for a total passivity in the spiritual life. Quietism is a fraudulent abandonment. True abandonment surrenders ourselves to Christ and takes His yoke upon ourselves. This is not passive. It is an active abandonment to God’s will and His transformative power in our souls. This yoke is humility. Humility transforms us from someone who thinks they can do everything on their own, even save their own souls, to one who embraces and rejoices that, apart from Him, we can do nothing.1
For more from Dr. McGovern, visit his Substack at A Thomist, Dedicated to the Theological tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas. Exploring Thomas’ Spiritual Theology and topics in Christology and Mariology.
Cf. John 15:5.
What stayed with me here is the distinction between passivity and true surrender. Humility is so often mistaken for making ourselves smaller, when perhaps it is really the moment we stop pretending we can carry everything alone.
I also appreciated the idea of becoming childlike not as a return to immaturity, but as a return to trust and openness. There is something deeply human in that. Thank you for this reflection, Andrew.
Amen! Thank you!