I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have a child. To have given life and existence to another human being. To know that dancing, singing, laughing, crying person there is my child, born from me, my flesh made theirs.
What does that do to you? I really don’t know. I leave it to you mother, to you father, to describe the wonder, joy, and fear(?) a child can bring. A phrase best describing one’s child? . . . “My Love”.
What I do know is what it’s like being someone’s child. It’s a bond unlike any other human relationship. Ultimately, a child looks upon a mother or father as the “Source of Life”. Good parent or bad parent, forever they are honored as the one who gave us life. In a real sense I owe them everything.
(I wonder if the marriage bond runs as deep as parent and child.).
But guess what? The relation of parent and child ain’t nothin compared to our relationship with God. Don’t be offended mom and dad, but your gift to your child of life in the body, as good as it is, ain’t nothin compared to what God has done in letting us be called Children of God.
Do you remember the day Jesus was preaching in a crowded synagogue and was told that his mother Mary was outside and wanted to see him? (Read Mt. 12:46-50). Remember what he said? “Who is my mother?”!!! (My dad would have smacked me for that as a kid.) “How dare you say that Jesus!”, says a mother’s heart. “I’m your mother.”
We don’t get it. There is a new personal relationship in the world – — deeper than all the others – – deeper than parent/child, deeper than husband /wife. It is our relationship with God the Father because of our union with His Son Jesus Christ.
“Who is my mother?” Jesus asks. “These are my mother and brothers, (pointing to his disciples) whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”
Whaaaat?! Yes. It blows the mind. St. John’s letter can hardly contain the excitement. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called Children of God. Yet that is what we are! We are God’s children now. What we shall later become has not yet been revealed. When it is revealed we shall become like him, for we will see him as he is.”(1 Jn. 3:1)
Let’s be clear here. It’s not because we deserve the status of God’s Children. In fact it is not natural that we be that. Its supernatural. God has “adopted” us. We’re like a branch grafted onto the vine of Christ.
Why do we have this wonderful privilege while an- gels look on us with amazement? It’s because that’s the way God’s love works. It’s totally God’s initiative, certainly nothing that we earned or deserved. The small and insignificant become his choice as his children. Amazing Grace!!
So back to Mary and Jesus . . . Jesus is saying, “Mom, look, all these are your children . . . because of me.” And to us he says, as he did to John (Jn. 19:27), “There is your mother.” God’s Family . . . all are welcome.
Hope you are well. Say your prayers.
Fr. Tim
