What are the "Things which hide Gods revelation in my life"

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

15^th Week – Wednesday

Gospel –Matthew 11: 25-27

 

What are the "Things which hide Gods revelation in my life" 

 Jesus says "you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike"

 1) Who are these learned and Wise people?

 a) In the context of the Bible Jesus was referring to Scribes and Pharisees

 b) The schools of Hillell and Shammai, the two famous doctors of that day. 

 c) All Jews would appreciate themselves  at the eating of the passover every year, and say,  "we are all wise, we are all prudent, we all understand the law" This is what they thought about themselves

 2) What does Jesus mean by "Hidden Things" in the Gospel? 

 a) The "hidden things" he means are

•  the doctrines of the Gospel; such as respect himself, his person, as God,
• Jesus as the Son of God; his office, as Messiah, Redeemer, and Saviour of the World
• The blessings of grace, righteousness, and salvation by him
• Forgiveness of Sins by Him. Jews believed only God can forgive sins. They failed to see Jesus as God. Such a important doctrine was hidden from them
• The Passion, Death and Resurrection

 b) The real meaning of many of the parables was hidden from them. The beautiful lessons which Jesus Communicated through the parables were hidden from them

 c) The powerful kingdom values like, Love of the Enemies, the other person as my neighbor (The parable of the Good Samaritan), Salvation for the gentiles and sinner  

 3) What are the things those resulted in blocking the realization and vision of the Gospel Doctrines and Revealed Things?  

 a) The power, authority and arrogance of those people

b) The attitude of Self Righteousness of those people

c) Blind Belief that only a certain section of people are eligible for the salvation

d) The narrow way of understanding of the concept of Messiah and his arrival

e) The political way of understanding the new kingdom of Israel and worldly way of achieving the power

f) Superiority of one race over another

 4) What are the possible things which will hide the vision/understanding and real perception of divine things in my Life

·         Pride, arrogance, Jealousy, Self righteousness

·         Excessive desire for Power, Money, Wealth, worldly things and bodily pleasures

·         My rigidity to have a better and full perception of the reality

·         My prejudices  and biased opinion  

·         Over confidence that my opinion is always right

·         The concept of “I know everything” which destroys the person

·         Lack of humility to learn something good and lasting

·         Unwilling to accept ones mistakes and to learn from past mistakes

 5) Why Gospel doctrines are revealed to the “Child Like” Persons

•  Jesus says “Unless you become like little Children you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 8:13
• Likewise “Unless we become like little children we will not be in a position to receive the Gospel Doctrine and to know their divine meaning
• They have the right disposition the receive the doctrine
•  They completely depend on God
• They are ready to believe in the Gospel Doctrine
• They are able to accept Jesus as the Lord and Master and the Savior of the World

 6) What are those things in my life which obstructs my clear vision of the Gospel Doctrines?

• Am I able to identify at least some of those things?
• Is my vision is very clear
• What are those things which block my eyes, mind, heart, ears, and my whole being from knowing the kingdom realities?

 God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

 

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore