Commentary on the Gospel of
Tuesday 5th: First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10, Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17 Gospel Reading: Luke 10:21-24
Jesus rejoices and gives thanks: God has hidden his mysteries from the wise ones. We may ask: can it be, that hiding God’s truth might be a reason for joy, for thanksgiving? Jesus came to this world to “give witness to the truth;” these words he replied to Pilate (Joh 18,37), and Pilate admitted to not understanding what Jesus was speaking of: “what is truth”? (v. 38), and without waiting for a response, he turned to the Jews again, to go on with the trial. In that moment, neither Pilate nor the Jews were interested in knowing more about Jesus’ truth. This would require a minimum of curiosity: the Jews considered themselves wise enough to need no other knowledge, and the Roman authorities had the power, which for them was more important than truth. Pilate surely thought it was not the moment to discuss about the truth.
The gospel says that Jesus, was suddenly exulted. He was taken by deep emotion, and solemnly thanked the Father: “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”. Why so much joy? Because God was showing his justice. It was the accomplishment of Mary’s words in the Magnificat: “he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away” (Luke 1,53). It is the Kingdom of God, that is being revealed.
The prophecy of Isaiah that was announced, as the first reading, says with images taken from the nature: “with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth… The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, …, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them”. Jesus saw how the wise and the doctors of the Law were misled by his words, while the poor and simple folks were enthusiastic with his message of mercy and love.
It is because of this that we should not get the feeling that the words of Jesus should be always easy for us to understand. If we are to be sincere we should acknowledge that we often don’t understand the words of Jesus and still less God’s actions in our life or time. Does it mean that we are those arrogant ones, who are excluded from the tight understanding? Not necessarily. On the contrary, as we confess we are unable to understand God’s things, we are among the poor about whom Jesus speaks with joy and thanksgiving. We also have to praise the Father, who surprises us with things that exceed our minds, and He will make clear to us when we reach the final stage of the eternal vision without veils.
Fr Jaime Bosch cmf
