XIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
GOD IS A FATHER
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
All the news outlets are filled with what is happening between countries, especially nuclear missile tests. Faced with this situation, nations ally themselves with other nations to be prepared for a possible attack. The countries that seek peace condemn such events, but also prepare with however little or lot of weaponry they have. The presidents of those nations shout at each other, and it seems that everyone is right. It is the Word of God that sheds light on these situations: “He -the humble King- shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the warrior’s bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations.”(Zech. 9: 10a) Is time for us to ask God for peace, time that we turn to look at Jesus, King of the Universe, King of justice and peace. Let us pray to God for the peace of the whole world, and humility which is the strength with which this king will destroy the instruments of war.
In regard to the Gospel of this Sunday, we could begin with a question: who is the God of Jesus? Much has been written and spoken about the God of Jesus, and every generation has questioned and doubtless will continue to have questions about that, because that God must be discovered in the gospel. And the first answer is, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” (Mt 11: 25b) Jesus introduces God as his Father, so we come closer to the determining experience that Jesus had of his God. We are talking about the human experience of Jesus, the prophet, we should not understand and nor interpret that yet, through a Trinitarian lens. With that expression, Jesus broke all kinds of preconceptions about God, about religion, about the closeness of divine love and grace, but challenges his listeners to definitely entrust themselves into the hands of God.
“For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” (Mt 11, 25c) Jesus helps us to understand that God is different from how He was conceived and with Him, as Father, different relationships are created. Is not the wise, neither the powerful, neither the more knowledgeable, who can understand the God of Jesus more easily. I must clarify that it is not a condemnation of theology, theologians or mystics. But it is true that Jesus wants to open the mystery of God to all people and especially to those farthest away from God. Let us appreciate Jesus’ way of discovering God, because He offers us all the possibility to know a wonderful, human and dear God.
I do not want pass by the last paragraph of the gospel that we hear this Sunday unnoticed: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11: 28) It is true that is time for vacations and most of us are looking for a few days of rest to repair our strength after the physical wear and monotony of work, how good is that! But let us not stay only in the physical and material, but may we also seek the prayer and inner silence that are important to renew and achieve the peace of the spirit, but above all to reach that encounter that Jesus offers us in the gospel.
The readings of this Sunday teach us to look for God with an open and simple heart. If Jesus Himself calls God Father, therefore He is a Son, the Son of God. In Jesus Christ, we are also children of God, and we can call Father-Dad to God. May we, day by day, know more about our God, the Father.