A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
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.”
After saying these words, Jesus turned to his disciples and told them in private that they are blessed to see what prophets and kings desired to see and hear but did not see and hear. What is the it that Jesus refers to? The Gospel acclamation explicitly says what it is: “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” Enlightenment for his servants; servants see what the wise and the learned hoped to see and hear. When I consider myself wise, how often have I shut my eyes and closed my ears to the wisdom of God right in front of me? To be childlike in faith, is it to see what is hidden in plain sight? Jesus, reveal the Father to me.
God, help me understand who it is you sent into the world to be seen and heard. You have given everything you have to your Son, and through you I come to know him, and through what he reveals I come to know you. Holy Spirit, help me know the Father and the Son so that I can seek you out and find your dwelling, where as the first reading from Isaiah says, “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.”
God, you hear my sighs; you see my restlessness and know that I want you near. For you, nothing is impossible. Help me through your grace recover childlike wonder—the blessedness of seeing you as you are—as I come into your presence; help me throughout the day remember to come into your presence.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
