Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 15th Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday – Matthew 11:25-27

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Wednesday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time is Matthew 11:25-27.

After severely rebuking and condemning the unrepentant cities (Matt 11:20-24), Christ now prays to the Father, offering to all men a privileged glimpse into the intimacy of the Trinity and contrasts the arrogance and disobedience of the unrepentant “wise” with the the men of good will who obediently give themselves to Christ like innocent children and who receive the wisdom and blessings of the Father.

In just a few short lines, Christ’s prayer to the Father is a powerful blessing that reveals the closeness of the Father and the Son. He reveals the perfect love between the Father and the Son. He reveals His perfect obedience to and reverence for the Father. He expresses His heart-deep thanks for His Father’s blessings. He acknowledges the power the Father has given Him in the world. He confirms the Father’s dominion over Creation.

Christ’s prayer also reveals how men can draw closer to God. Through His example, Christ demonstrates how men can speak with God. He reveals that through the Father’s gracious will, God is hidden from the arrogant (self-proclaimed “wise”) and revealed to the innocent (infants); that only through humble obedience and dependence can men be open to receiving Christ’s Wisdom. To receive Wisdom, He reveals that the only way to God the Father is through the Son.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Person of the Trinity, Christ reveals glimpses of the relationship of the Father and the Son. Son of God, Christ asserts that God has the power to influence the lives of men and does so. Almighty King, Christ reveals that only through Him can men be drawn to the Father.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is perfectly united with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Marvel at how Christ generously has allowed you to get a glimpse of His closeness to the Father in today’s reading.

2) Remarkably, Christ offers men a chance to see His love for the Father in prayer. Reflect upon Christ’s Prayer (CCC 2603, 2701) and pray for Christ to help you pray with praise and gratitude and that you might more perfectly do the will of the Father.

3) The presumption in the pluralistic society is that all religions and equally valid and all lead to God. Christ says otherwise: “no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him”(v. 27). Reflect upon the the truth that Outside the Church theres is no Salvation (CCC 846-848) and pray that Christ to make you an instrument to evangelize many souls.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – Saint Joseph

Virtue of the Day – Temperance

Corporal Work of Mercy – To visit the imprisoned

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To comfort the sorrowful