“... and revealed them to little children.” – Matthew 11:25

       The weather one morning was questionable and clouds were forming, yet this little girl made her daily trek to the elementary school. The winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning cutting through the sky.

       The mother of the little girl was concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home and she feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. She quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child’s school. On her way, she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile.

       When the mother’s car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to her, “What are you doing? Why do you keep stopping to look up and smile?”

       The child answered, “I am trying to look pretty. God keeps taking my picture.”

       Children don’t lose the mystery of simple faith. Amidst the storm, you still are God’s favorite, and therefore you can smile. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

Reflection: Are you facing the storms of life today? Decide to wear a smile on your face. Then the smile in your heart will follow.

Lord, may I see Your simple presence in my life today — in my circumstances, in the people I encounter, even in the problems that I face. Give me the grace to smile. Amen.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

The prophets saw military losses as God’s punishment for the transgressions of the people. We probably have a more sophisticated understanding today that would see military loss as a natural defeat of an inferior force by a stronger one. Yet Israel had become weak due to their rejection of God and making alliances with pagan nations. This was sin, and so sin weakens national character and society in general.

5 Thus says the Lord: Woe to Assyria! My rod in anger, my staff in wrath. 6 Against an impious nation I send him, and against a people under my wrath I order him to seize plunder, carry off loot, and tread them down like the mud of the streets. 7 But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; rather, it is in his heart to destroy, to make an end of nations not a few. 13 For he says: “By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples, their treasures I have pillaged, and, like a giant, I have put down the enthroned. 14 My hand has seized like a nest the riches of nations; as one takes eggs left alone, so I took in all the earth; no one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth, or chirped!” 15 Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it? As if a rod could sway him who lifts it, or a staff, him who is not wood! 16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, and instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire.

R: The Lord will not abandon his people.

5 Your people, O Lord, they trample down, your inheritance they afflict. 6 Widow and stranger they slay, the fatherless they murder. (R) 7 And they say, “The Lord sees not; the God of Jacob perceives not.” 8 Understand, you senseless ones among the people; and, you fools, when will you be wise? (R) 9 Shall he who shaped the ear not hear? or he who formed the eye not see? 10 Shall he who instructs nations not chastise, he who teaches men knowledge? (R) 14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; 15 but judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it. (R)

God does not so much as hide wisdom from the learned and the clever. The learned and clever are not open to the wisdom of God because they think they already have the answers. The poor and little ones know they do not have the answers to their condition. Wisdom is not hidden from the wise in the world, but they need to pray for the humility to welcome the wisdom of God because at times it will conflict with that of the world.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

25 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. 26 Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 27 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.”

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezra 6-10

SPECIAL PROTECTION FROM MARY

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was introduced in the Roman Calendar way back in 1726, in commemoration of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock, the superior of the Carmelite Order, on July 16, 1251. Our Mother Mary promised a special blessing for everyone who wears her scapular. Since then, the Catholic Church has solemnly and repeatedly approved this devotion, which began in England. For centuries until now, Christians have taken advantage of the protection promised by the Blessed Virgin. The devout use of the scapular shows our trust in the Blessed Virgin’s motherly concern and ability to help us at the hour of our death.

       This candid and innocent devotion is somehow endorsed in today’s Gospel reading. These are the words of our Lord Jesus, praising and thanking God the Father for having revealed the divine mysteries precisely to the childlike.

       In contrast to them are the so-called wise and learned, from whom the Father has hidden His revelation. They are the ones who are already closed in their views about God and the world, unwilling to change them and to learn something new. They are convinced that they already know everything about God and that they possess the true doctrine. They seem to forget that no one ever possesses the truth because it is really the other way around: it is always the truth which possesses us. That is why the only thing that really matters is that we surrender to God.

       Mary, of course, plays a wonderful role as the Mother of God — and ours, too. It’s as if she cannot just watch her beloved children perish, when her Son Jesus offered His very life itself in sacrifice for them. She holds them dearly in her heart and has a special zeal and protection for them. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: What place does Mother Mary occupy in your life?

Lord God, thank You for Mama Mary’s presence and protection throughout our lives. May she continue to extend Your love to us.