Blessed to See
Gospel Reflection for December 3rd, 2024 - Luke 10:21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, 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 who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."
In today’s Gospel we encounter Jesus rejoicing and in prayer. He is rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking God the Father for His wisdom in all things. That God the Father has hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to the childlike instead. Yet all things have been handed over to Jesus by God the Father. He ends His prayer by saying “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone whom the Son wishes to reveal to him.”
Then Jesus turns His attention to the disciples. “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…”
When was the last time I rejoiced in the Lord? When was the last time I came to Him, childlike, humbly seeking His presence? When was the last time I considered myself blessed for knowing the Lord Jesus, blessed for being at Mass hearing His words or adoring the Eucharist with my own eyes?
These were some of the questions I asked myself as I read these verses.
And the answer is not nearly as much as I should. Life has a way of distracting me, disrupting my efforts, and my thoughts. I forget the profound privilege we have in knowing Jesus and the many ways the Church encourages us to be with Him through the sacraments and liturgical seasons.
As Catholics, we have entered the season of Advent, a season of preparation and anticipation of the singular event - God entering the fullness of time, becoming man - an infant in swaddling clothes. And it is a season of preparation of Christ’s second coming one day, a day for which we should remain vigilant. Advent is a chance for us to reflect on our days, to set up new habits of prayer, and to refocus our attentions on the Lord.
Today’s Gospel is a perfect pick to help us prepare this Advent. Here we are challenged to see what our relationship with Jesus really looks like. Do we rejoice with the Lord throughout our days? Do we come to Him as little children, trusting and humble? Choosing to rely on the wisdom of God and not our own understanding? We are also challenged to recognize that through Jesus we are given access to the Father, and to see how blessed we are to hear His words.
These verses are rich with ways for us to prepare for the Lord this Advent season. Take time today to reflect on them, read them again, and consider how you can grow in your faith, your relationship with Jesus this Advent as we make room for Him in our lives and in our hearts.
Mandy, Beautiful reflection. We don't rejoice in the Lord as we should. We allow the world, and its chaos to invade. The one characteristic that should mark ever Christian is an abiding joy. Thanks for the reminder :)