In today's first reading, (Isaiah 11 : 1-10).
Prophet
Isaiah speaks of a “shoot from the stump of Jesse;” endowed with the “Spirit of
the LORD,” including a Spirit of Wisdom. This prophecy aligns with the
genealogy in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesse is named as David's father, tracing
the lineage to Joseph, husband of Mary, and mother of Jesus (Mt 1:1-16). Jesus,
often referred to as the "Son of David," fulfills the promises made
by the prophets. As I reflect on the Word of God today, I am struck by the joy
of Jesus and his disciples. I see in their Joy by the power of the Holy Spirit workings of the Spirit. I wish to highlight.
In today’s Gospel, we witness the profound joy of Jesus, rejoicing in
the Holy Spirit and praising God the Father. “Jesus rejoices in the Holy
Spirit and praises His Father in heaven.” To comprehend this joy, it's
essential to revisit the events preceding this episode. At the beginning of
Luke 10, Jesus sends 72 disciples on a mission with specific instructions.
Having faithfully accomplished their mission they came back to give an
account of it to Jesus. Luke says that “they returned with joy” and said to
Jesus: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” They seemed to be
surprised by the success of their mission, their ability to liberate souls free
from demoniac influences, to heal the sick, etc. The success of their mission
sparks Jesus’ joyous response. This joy emanates not just from the successful mission
of His disciples but more so from the deeper truth they unveil – the power of
humble faith and trust in God.
Jesus poses two significant
actions. First, He turns to the Father in praise,
acknowledging God as the source of His and His disciples' mission. Jesus' joy
is twofold: shared with His disciples and rooted in glorifying the Father. Thus Jesus teaches us that human liberation
from any form of satanic influence, healing of body, mind and spirit in his
name are what gives Joy to the Father.
Jesus' revelation today is profound: “Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, you have revealed these things to the childlike.” The disciples, in
their humility and simplicity, embody this “childlikeness.” We know that children
have a special place in the heart of Jesus: the kingdom of God belongs to those
who resemble them, says Jesus. They remind us of the importance of trusting in
God, serving God with a humble spirit, trusting that He can work miracles
through our imperfection. Those who
consider themselves wise and learned and thus want to reduce God’s eternal
wisdom to their human knowledge consider the way of Christ as absurd. All the
mission of the Church does it not consist in teaching the Truth of the Gospel,
healing humanity sick in body, soul and spirit, setting free all under the
influence of satan? All those who humble
themselves before God have access to divine knowledge and revelation Jesus
spoke about.
The first time Jesus addressed his disciples, he invited them to find
joy in the fact that their names are written in heaven and not because the
demons obey them. This is a crucial lesson for us today. In a world that often
measures success by worldly standards, Jesus call us to a different set of
values. Our ultimate joy and fulfilment should not stem from our earthly
accomplishments or recognition, but from our relationship with God and the
assurance of a our place in His Kingdom. All should lead to the glorification of God’s
name. Knowing that their names are written in heaven helps the disciples to
focus on God and not on works of satan. The subtle truth here is that Jesus is
telling us to beware of the strategy of satan who want that people talk more of
him and lesser of God.
The Gospel concludes with a
beatitude: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” What a great privilege
and honour to be disciples of Jesus. As we journey through this season of
Advent, let us really allow Jesus to speak to us, reveal to us the hidden
mysteries of God’s Kingdom. May the Joy of Christ be our Joy for God really
want us to be happy, praising his Holy Name always!
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we come before You today, we are reminded of the
joy and humility that comes from having childlike faith. We are inspired by the
words of Jesus in Luke's Gospel, where He rejoices in the Holy Spirit and
praises Your holy name.
In a world that often values pride and self-reliance,
help us to remember the power and joy found in simple trust and dependence on
You. Teach us to approach You with open hearts and minds, ready to be filled
with Your wisdom and love.
We thank You for the joyous mission of Your Son, Jesus
Christ, who teaches us to find our greatest joy not in earthly achievements,
but in the assurance of our names written in heaven. May this eternal promise
guide our every action and thought.
As
we seek to follow in Jesus' footsteps, we ask that You fill us with Your
Spirit, that we may rejoice in Your presence, celebrate Your works, and spread
Your love to all those we encounter. Help us to serve You with a childlike
spirit, full of humility, trust, and awe.
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