“At that time Jesus exclaimed: I bless you Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.

Jesus' exclamation is very moving as he realised that the learned men of his time - the Scribes and the Pharisees - did not accept him. Jesus' followers were in the main the “little people”, the ordinary people.

This became more evident when he selected his twelve apostles. They were ordinary people not intellectuals. That is not to say that Jesus was against intellectuals, or people in high places, or people of influence.

Jesus was pointing out that a man could be as wise as Solomon, but if he did not have the humility, simplicity, and trust of a childlike heart, he forfeits his place. In other words, the head may understand the scriptures but its true home is the heart.

Jesus' comment is as real today as it was during his life on earth. I remember many years ago there was a man who walked the streets, a very popular figure, very dirty, unkempt. He was mostly seen around Woodford Square.

Very often you would see a crowd around him. The crowd would be reading from a piece of cardboard on which he wrote. His handwriting was beautiful and what he wrote were informative and profound statements that drew the attention of “the learned and the clever.”

Sometime ago there was a debating competition for young leaders, with participation from many schools and youth groups. Emerging in the final round of the competition, much to the surprise of the community, was a contest between the “ learned and the clever ” and “ mere children.

” What was most surprising was the fact that those who were seen as “ mere children ” were able to make such outstanding presentations that challenged the more “ learned and the clever. ”

The community from which the “ mere children ” came celebrated their achievements, as the institution they represented had no fame or glory to its history; they were thought of as below the level of the more “l earned and clever ” youths who participated in the debate.

How often we neglect to listen to those in our community who make worthwhile contributions because they are not part of an elite or special group. How surprised we are when they are the ones who have made a difference in the community.

A Church community was having some problems in having any successful activity due to the behaviour of some people. The community came together to discuss the situation and several suggestions were made.

However, one suggestion came from a few young people that one or two persons who were thought to be troublemakers be invited to be part of the committee. The elders in the community strongly disagreed with the suggestion and resisted its implementation arguing that such a move would result in disaster.

In the end the suggestion was implemented and the activity was not only a resounding success, but brought the young people of the community together.

Lord, so often we believe that we have all the answers because of our qualifications, or our status in a community, that we ignore others who are less vocal or simple people. We ask your forgiveness for our lack of insight .

We thank you for those leaders, teachers, and parents, who are not afraid to listen and learn from those who are “mere children”, and can celebrate their achievements when previously they had doubts.

We pray that the many barriers that exist in our society, in our communities because of status, and qualification, may be broken to bring about peace and understanding among us.

Gospel Meditations for the month of July are by Malcolm and Janet Joseph, parishioners of St Anthony's, Petit Valley . Malcolm is the co-ordinator of Caritas-AIDS ministry and Janet is a tutor with the ALTA programme.