Today’s short Gospel reading, MT 11:25-27, contains two central themes for Christians: relationship and humility.

“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.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
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”

The praise Jesus offers to God is in contrast to the previous verses just before this passage which describe the devastation of nonbelief and lack of relationship with God. Jesus’s message was a hard sell to the scribes and Pharisees of his time.

The praise that is freely offered by Jesus comes from a deep relationship that Jesus as the son has with God the father. This relationship is what Jesus models to us and invites us into daily.

God’s arms outstretch to those who approach God with humility, curiosity and love. This is contrasted to those who have been closed off by their own learnings or wisdom who do not seek his message.

These short verses are of help to me to focus on cultivating my relationship with God and Jesus through prayer and worship. While study and wisdom are values, they are also balanced by honest humility and loving relationship with God and with Jesus.

As I gaze into my young son’s eyes, it is easy to imagine God’s love for God’s children. Watching the way my son reaches out for me when he needs me, I realize I do not often fully let myself reach out to God in the same way until things are most desperate. As a parent, I desire an ongoing, daily relationship with my son. We take joy in spending time with each other and are better for the time together. The image of the family relationship is one beautiful image to remind of the closeness with God we are called to.