There are many differences between childish and childlike attitudes. “Childish” behavior is seen in an adult who acts annoyingly and immaturely, incommensurate with his or her age, with self-centered, petulant, irresponsible, and reckless conduct.

“Childlikeness,” on the other hand, indicates a trusting attitude, appreciative of goodness and beauty, open to awe and wonder, humble and obedient towards elders. Jesus reveals the mysteries of the Father’s Kingdom to the childlike (Greek nepioi)—the “little ones” in the eyes of society: the humble and the poor.

In contrast, the reign of God is hidden from the “wise and learned”—from the scribes and Pharisees—who burden the people with their interpretations of the Law and condemn Jesus for defending those they take as violators of the Law. If Jesus opposes the scribes and the Pharisees, it is because he refers to the spirit rather than the letters of the Law, and he knows the will of God “from the beginning” (Jn 1:1).

His knowledge of the gracious will of God comes from his intimate relationship with the heavenly Father as God’s Son. May we assume a childlike character of a true disciple, humble and attentive to the Church to whom Jesus reveals the mystery of God’s Kingdom and who proclaims the Good News in our time.

First Reading • Ex 3:1-6, 9-12

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed.

So Moses decided, “I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Here I am.” God said, “Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father,” he continued, “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. The cry of the children of Israel has reached me, and I have truly noted that the Egyptians are oppressing them. Come, now! I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will be with you; and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you: when you bring my people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this very mountain.”

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 103

“The Lord is kind and merciful.”

Gospel • Matthew 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, 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 the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.