Daily Gospel Reflection
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December 2, 2025
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, 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.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
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.”
Reflection
Today’s gospel tells us that the true nature of Jesus is revealed not to the wise, the learned, or the powerful, but to those who are childlike. But what does it mean to be childlike? Perhaps the best way I’ve come to understand what it means to be childlike is through the experience of strawberry picking with my daughter.
Strawberry picking is no easy task. The best berries hide beneath shaded leaves and cling close to the earth. The season is often hot and humid, and each berry must be gathered by hand, slowly and deliberately. My mind becomes easily restless. How much time do we have left? What errands must we run? How muddy will she get? I impatiently look to grab easy strawberries from the tops of the bushes to save my aching knees.
My daughter, though, is a master strawberry picker. She crouches low with ease, her small hands parting the leaves as if uncovering jewels. She studies each plant with quiet curiosity, wholly absorbed in the search. The heat does not bother her, nor the dirt; time does not press upon her, and her distractions are those of awe in nature. She emerges from the patch spattered with berry juice, her smile bright as the fruit she carries.
Her methods perfectly embody how we might enter into a closer relationship with Christ through the childlike countenance the gospel implores, particularly as we carry on this Advent journey. Christ comes to us in small, quiet ways, tucked beneath the “leaves” of ordinary life for those willing to humble and lower themselves. As the child moves unhurriedly and deliberately through the strawberry rows, we are called to be similarly deliberate in our savoring of the quiet peace of Advent rather than sprinting to Christmas. The dirt and stains of the process are evidence of wholehearted participation.
May we learn to bend low, delight in small discoveries, wait with trust, and enter the holy mess of love without fear. In doing so, we learn what it is like to know the Father.
Prayer
Lord, let my adult worries and cares melt away for a bit so I may enter more fully into a moment of innocence, trust, and understanding. May my faith in you lead to faith in others and faith in myself. May my eyes be blessed to once again see the wonder this season brings and the wonder of your love for us.
Saint of the Day
St. Chromatius was born in the late fourth century in the city of Aquileia in eastern Italy. His biography tells us that Chromatius lived with his widowed mother, his brother, and his unmarried sisters. Instead of continuing to live with his mother and sisters as their financial guardian, however, Chromatius was ordained a priest around the year 381. Shortly thereafter, Chromatius participated in the small Synod of Aquileia, which condemned Arius as a heretic and worked to establish an orthodox Christology, against Arius. This synod was organized by St. Ambrose, a distinguished theologian, who became a friend, mentor, and correspondent of Chromatius. In 388, Chromatius was elected bishop of Aquileia.
Although Chromatius himself is no longer a very well-known name, he was friends with many influential and famous theologians. He baptized Rufinus and became something of a mentor to him. Rufinus and St. Jerome disagreed over Origen's theology and style of exegeting scriptures. Chromatius took it upon himself to mediate the dispute of these two friends of his. Chromatius exerted his influence on his young mentee, Rufinus, and exhorted him to cease arguing with Jerome and instead turn his intellectual abilities to translate the great Church historian Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History out of Greek and into Latin. Chromatius was a dear friend of the great St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin. In fact, Chromatius is responsible for helping to finance Jerome's daring venture. In addition to his active correspondences with Ambrose, Rufinus, and Jerome, he also corresponded with the Church historian Eusebius.
Chromatius was also a prolific scriptural commentator and exegete in his own right. Part of his commentaries on Matthew's Gospel still survive today, including a beautiful homily on the beatitudes.
Another one of Chromatius' correspondents was the famous preacher St. John Chrysostom, priest of Antioch and then bishop of Constantinople. John Chrysostom criticized the royal family for their excess and their hypocritical practice of Christianity. Emperor Honorius promptly exiled John Chrysostom: a sentence which led finally to John Chrysostom's death. Chromatius interceded with Emperor Honorius on John Chrysostom's behalf, asking him to relieve him from his death march of exile. His pleas went unheeded, but provide yet another example of Chromatius putting his pastoral care and intellectual acumen at the service of Christian friendship, of building up the body of Christ through care for his friends and colleagues.
Chromatius, having thoroughly spent himself serving the Church that he loved so dearly, died on December 2 in the year 406 or 407.
St. Chromatius, faithful friend, who encouraged great saints to use their gifts for Christ—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Chromatius is in the public domain. Last accessed November 1, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
