The “little ones” have a heart close to God

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 3, 2011
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Matt. 11:25-30 Thou hast revealed these things to babes.

Entire homily text: In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to us of the “little ones.” Likely he is referring to the children or the child-like. God blesses us with many examples of simple souls. People who may not have the intellectual ability to live on their own; getting themselves to work on time, paying bills, choosing the healthy things to eat, etc. These we often consider “poor souls.” We feel bad for them, because they don’t have the ability to live on their own or function in society without assistance. Some even believe their lives are somehow less than those of normal intelligence.

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Jesus though, would not seem to agree with the value that society places on these human beings. Those who are “wise and learned” do not necessarily possess knowledge that really brings union with God. On the contrary, sometimes their learning turns into intellectual pride and leads them to misunderstanding of what is truly of value in this life. Those who are simpler are more open to recognizing what is truly good.

Having worked in college with individuals in group homes, I can attest that many of them are very much open to the good in the world. They are often genuinely happy people, who smile and laugh easily. When they are angry or in a bad mood, it is not difficult to cheer them up. A simple joke or conversation will be enough to bring them back to their carefree attitude.

Open to the goodness

What is the difference with these people? Why are they so happy and many of us so miserable? Could it be that they are more open to the goodness that surrounds us in this world? God is everywhere. He is in the smile of another. He is in the gift of laughter. He is present in the sunny days when there is not a cloud in the sky. Yet, people can totally miss this. We fail way too often to see the presence of God all around us. We may be the most intelligent of persons, but that doesn’t make us happy. We can’t figure out what brings happiness on our own, or with our own intellectual ability.

So does that mean that we must behave more like children? Should we try to unlearn all the knowledge that has been given to us?  Do we need to stop studying and reading? Of course not!! Even these things are a gift from God that he has given us. Jesus is not telling his disciples to become less intelligent, but only to become more like the “little ones.” Christ does not just teach us to do this; he shows us how to do it in his life. When Jesus became man at his incarnation, he took upon himself our own fallen nature. Jesus is truly God and truly man. He has two natures, but he is one God.

Two wills: one divine and one human

Jesus is like us in that he possesses an intellect like us. However, Jesus has two wills: one divine and one human. The will, which all humans have, is the power of the human soul which leads us toward a good or away from an evil recognized by the intellect or reason. We all possess a will to choose the good with our intellect. However, Jesus had two wills, human and divine. This may seem strange to us. How could he have two wills at the same time? Well, Jesus was fully human so he possessed a human will like any of us. He was drawn to the good things of the world like: food, friendship, beauty, and truth.

But, Jesus also had a divine will. He was God, and so had a will that was one with the Father. Jesus always united his human will (desires) to his divine will. He subjected his human will to the divine.  We see this clearly in the Gospel today as Jesus says, “Yes, Father, such has been you gracious will.” This is very similar to Jesus’ “yes” in the garden before his crucifixion. Jesus is struggling to unite his will with the Father’s will. He asks that the “cup may pass” by him. But, Jesus always finishes his prayer with “not my will, but yours be done.”  Of course the Father’s will seems difficult. It means suffering and death on the Cross. Yet, the will of God is always the best, because it leads us to what is truly good and brings true happiness (Resurrection).

Imitate Jesus

We can imitate Jesus, by being one of these “little ones.” We all have our own plans for our life and even for each day. We desire or will to achieve what is good in this life. But, who knows what is good, better than the Father? We seek happiness through our own plans and wisdom, but often it leaves us feeling empty and lost. The truly wise person is smart enough to realize that God is the source of goodness. Only in doing God’s will do we truly achieve happiness in this life and its fulfillment in the next. We follow our savior who submitted his will to the Father’s always.

We know the Father’s will for us in many ways. First, it has been revealed to us by God through the Ten Commandments and the precepts of the Church. Second, we know that our state in life (Marriage, Single, Religious, or Priest) carries with it certain responsibilities. If we want to do God’s will we must be faithful to the requirements of our state in life. Third, God’s will is often shown to us through the painful and joyful events of our daily life. We recognize that God is present in all things and can bring great good out of evil for those who trust in him.

Submitting our wills

Simple souls are all around us. They teach us much by their trust and recognition of the presence of God in all things. These little ones are reminders to us that true wisdom is found in God alone. We can follow Jesus in seeking the truth, by submitting our wills to the Father’s. Only then can we achieve true happiness and discover that we were made in the image of God.  It is an irony that when we submit our wills we find true freedom. This is the freedom of the sons and daughters of God. Those destined for happiness.