Jesus had little success with the ‘professionals’ of his day. Yet in this Sunday's Gospel He bursts into a prayer of thanksgiving for revealing wisdom to those who are considered ‘infants’. In the context of these chapters of Matthew, it is stressed that the poor are the only ones who truly understand the wisdom of God and they do so under the weight of great oppression and demands placed on them by the religious authorities. For example, the ‘wise’ place their particular interpretation of the law on the ‘ritually unclean’ by excluding them from meals (9:10-13) or place restrictions on the Sabbath that ignore human need (12:1-14).
Jesus wants people to leave aside these oppressors and learn from Him; find rest in Him. His focus is on mercy, compassion and love. This passage shows the tenderness with which Jesus welcomes and accepts. Jesus knows the reality of people’s suffering. He is not saying that there are no burdens in life; but that he will help people to find wisdom. This wisdom gives consolation, tenderness,
“Lowliness is humility, and that means down-to-earth realism. I accept myself as the raw material God has chosen to work through. For God can use me if I am ready to be me. God cannot do much with me as I wish I were, and even less with me trying to be someone else. In supple strength and cheerful self-acceptance lies the secret of a calm and restful spirit.” (William Yeomans)
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