GOD IS FOR SIMPLE PEOPLE
Many years ago, in the Ecole Biblique of Jerusalem, a teacher of exegesis introduced us to the difficult art of figuring out the Gospel of Matthew. It all seemed insignificant in order to grasp the ultimate meaning of the text: textual criticism, literary analysis, structure of the passage. One day we got to those verses in which Jesus exclaims: «I give you thanks, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, and have revealed them to the simple people». The professor went silent for a long time. Then he said very slowly: «Don’t ever forget these words. Everything else you can forget». It was probably the best lesson of exegesis I have ever received. Later, through the many years, I have been able to see that it’s true.
Always when I’ve had the impression of being near a person who’s close to God, it’s been someone of simple heart. Sometimes a person without great knowledge, other times someone of notable culture, but always a man or woman of humble and pure soul.
In more than one occasion I’ve been able to ascertain that it’s not enough to talk about God in order to awaken faith. For many people, certain religious concepts are very worn out, and though you try to pull out from them all the vigor and flavor they have in their origin, God continues as if «fossilized» in their consciences. Yet I’ve encountered simple people who don’t seem to need grand ideas or arguments. They quickly sense that God is «a hidden God», and from their heart is born a spontaneous invocation; «Lord, show me your face».
I’ve also encountered persons who always go about in the field of what’s useful. Some abandon God because God end’s up perfectly useless to them; others hold onto God and worship God because it’s worthwhile to them. I don’t know how they reach it, but from their heart there always seems to be springing forth the praise of the Creator. Their life is a success.
I’ve often expressed religious themes and have talked of God before all kinds of people. On occasion I’ve meet with people who raise questions and more questions about all kinds of theological issues, without showing the least interest in encountering God. But I’ve also seen simple people whose eyes shine in a special way when I read such texts as this from the prophet Isaiah: «I am the Lord, your God… You are precious in my eyes, you are valuable and I love you… Don’t be afraid, I am with you» (Isaiah 43,4); or when I pronounce Psalm 103: «As a father feels tenderness for his children, so the Lord feels tenderness for those who fear Him. Since God knows of what we are made; God remembers that we are clay» (Psalm 103,13-14). Yes, God reveals Self to simple people.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
