Today’s Scripture Readings

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

If you have ever wondered where to find true joy, we only need to look to today’s Gospel. Here, Luke reveals Jesus’ own source of joy, that he is filled with joy by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit for Jesus is alive within him, animating his life and mission. In this moment of profound gladness, Jesus praises God as the Lord of heaven and earth.

Jesus’ prayer is both surprising and deeply reassuring. He thanks God for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom not to the “wise and learned” but to the infants, the little ones, and the poor in spirit. He is speaking of those who come with an open and trusting heart. It is not worldly knowledge or achievement that opens the way to God, but humility, hope, and love, all gifts stirred within us by the Holy Spirit.

In this, we glimpse the true journey of discipleship, namely, to stay close to the heart of Jesus, to rejoice in the hidden ways God is revealed, and to trust that we are held in love even when the path is unclear. The Holy Spirit, who draws us into this journey, opens our eyes to God’s presence among us and teaches us to see with the eyes of the heart.

God’s greatest desire is for a deeper, truer, and ever more intimate relationship. The Holy Spirit nurtures and deepens this relationship within us. As we listen and trust, our capacity for God deepens, and true joy reigns. Slowly, steadily, we come to know that God is with us: our refuge, our helper, our love.

In this Advent journey, Jesus invites us to share in his Spirit-filled joy, walk the path of humble trust, and open our hearts like little ones.