Reflecting during the early part of this year whilst pursuing some studies around early Christian doctrines and the origins of the Nicene Creed, I couldn’t help concluding how straightforward and obvious faith is. Rooted in the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church Fathers matters of faith are quite clear to me. The same may be true for you as well. Of course, ‘clear’ is not the same as ‘easy’ and many of us have worked hard to get to where we are now – declaring our faith in the Holy Trinity and rejoicing in the salvation we have claimed as our own. Along the way there may have been many struggles, doubts and misunderstandings (and such things can be true at any stage in the Christian life), but we have got to a place in which we find ourselves for the most part content – not thinking that we know it all or that we are exempt from struggle, but sure of our foundations and of our future hope.

Reflecting on faith in such a way it may seem strange that some people ‘just don’t get it’. And they really don’t. Looking at these things from the vantage point of faith it is easy to forget the role which revelation has played in our journeys. As a factor in trying to understand different people’s positions it is critical. The revelation which is given to us is woven through the thinking, studying and discussing which make up our earthly pilgrimage. Jesus reflects on the ‘givenness’ of revelation.

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Matthew 11: 25-27)

I suggest that when we reflect upon this passage we don’t limit our thinking to the sayings of children lest we become too sentimental. What Jesus is saying is that the ‘simple’ are often open to God’s word because they are – in the French sense of the word – uncomplicated. We all know people who don’t seem particularly clever or sophisticated, but understand the things of God remarkably clearly. They are open to revelation in a way that the self-absorbed and arrogant are not. To follow the reasoning in the quotation above this is because it is the will of the Father that they receive understanding and it is Jesus who mediates it.

So how might we be more open to revelation? The answer is quite clear. The reading of scripture, prayer and the regular reception of the Blessed Sacrament give the faithful the edge when it comes to receiving revelation and developing a more developed and coherent understanding of the faith. Such things can only truly develop when opportunities are found for silence. We need to leave the noises and busyness of the day behind as best as we are able and concentrate on higher things. Whenever possible time spent before the Blessed Sacrament either reserved in the tabernacle or aumbry or during a time of Exposition, can free our spirits to be closer to the Holy Spirit. In such times of silence and adoration our chances of learning and growing in faith are so much greater. And whilst spending time in this way, make a prayerful remembrance of those who ‘just don’t get it’. It might change their lives – and yours.

Image by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

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