It is natural that as soon as we open our eyes, we begin to discover the beauty of the world, people, and events. The brightness of the sun’s rays and the darkness of the moving shadows will lead us to amazement and gratitude for the unusual images. It is not practical praise that we give to “necessary” people. This is a spontaneous step of previous revelations—something we greatly neglect in our communities.
In today’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus lets himself be carried away by an attitude of joy. The evangelist brings us the image of the praiser: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, it pleased you so.” They are the words of a person who realizes that he has received everything from the Father. It expresses the typical joy of a person who lives in an open relationship and true freedom. Jesus’ praise is an expression of the heart’s response to what the eyes see. In the background is humility and the ability to recognize God’s presence and goodness in the dark history of the world. This attitude of praise springs from the ability to discern things.
And so the next step of every Christian on the Advent journey is a prayer of praise. Such an attitude educates us to look at human history with lively hope. Thus, maintaining a view based on optimism in the spirit of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A branch will come out of the tribe of Jesse and a shoot will grow from his roots. And the spirit of the Lord will rest on him…” Walking in Advent means emptying your heart of unnecessary worries and thanking the Lord for the signs that we, through his providence, remind him of his presence in the world.
