I like this Reflection by Cassandra Cheong on the Gospel of Matthew 23:1-12.
It reminds me of the love my father had for me.
It also, addresses the concerns others may have on us (Catholics) using the title Father to address our Priests.
In this Gospel, Jesus was tackling the topic of Hypocrisy.
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Reflection on Gospel Matthew 23:1-12 by Cassandra Cheong
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. (Matthew 23:9)
I'm always struck by the above verse, because it always reminds me of my earthly father. As a child, I didn't always have a lot of time with my dad. Coming from a single-parent home, we lived in separate households and Dad's shiftwork was always a problem. What I do recall however, was the feeling of excitement after school, whenever it was Dad's day. It meant catching a movie, going on an excursion or having a meal at Swensons'. But above all, it just meant time alone with my dad.
I remember one incident, when Dad took me on a little excursion. We went cycling and I was riding a red tricycle. However, one of the wheels was faulty and I ended falling on the gravel ground with a badly bleeding cut. What struck me through my tears, was how my Dad apologised. It was not his fault that I had fallen, yet he felt responsible for my fall. It was then that I realised, in spite of his limitations, how much my Dad desired to protect me.
The love of my earthly father reminds me of the love of my Heavenly one.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us of our unique bond with God, our Father. When Jesus died on the cross, he didn't just come to free us from our sins – he came to bring us into relationship with God, his Father. But not just any relationship: he made us sons and daughters of God.
Just what does that mean? Being a child of God?
It means simply this – having an indestructible relationship with God, our Father, who is ever merciful, loving and kind, a father who protects and keeps us constantly in his sight. He is committed to our happiness and wellbeing (even if it means some gentle disciplining), and yearns to be actively involved in our lives. Our needs are ever before Him and he hears our every cry.
To put it simply, it means having a Father whom we can trust, rely and depend on for the rest of our lives.
Once we understand the significance of being a child of God, our relationship with Him takes on a different significance altogether. It no longer becomes about keeping rules. It's not about gaining brownie points, its not about having a heavy burden placed on our shoulders because of the way we should live our lives just because we're called 'Christians'. No. We'd be missing the point.
If only we saw ourselves through our Father's eyes, how differently might we live?
We are not called to be children of God. We ARE Children of God. Let's ask God to help us take hold of this truth today in our lives.
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Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
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Note:
The Gospel above was taken from the full Mass Readings & Resposorial Psalm below.
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Sat, 2011 Aug 20
Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 424
This is just after Fri, 2011 Aug 19 which was...
Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 423
~~~.
Reading 1 Ru 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Naomi had a prominent kinsman named Boaz,
of the clan of her husband Elimelech.
Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi,
"Let me go and glean ears of grain in the field
of anyone who will allow me that favor."
Naomi said to her, "Go, my daughter," and she went.
The field she entered to glean after the harvesters
happened to be the section belonging to Boaz
of the clan of Elimelech.
Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter!
Do not go to glean in anyone else's field;
you are not to leave here.
Stay here with my women servants.
Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them;
I have commanded the young men to do you no harm.
When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the vessels
the young men have filled."
Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, Ruth said to him,
"Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?"
Boaz answered her:
"I have had a complete account of what you have done
for your mother-in-law after your husband's death;
you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth,
and have come to a people whom you did not know previously."
Boaz took Ruth.
When they came together as man and wife,
the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son.
Then the women said to Naomi,
"Blessed is the LORD who has not failed
to provide you today with an heir!
May he become famous in Israel!
He will be your comfort and the support of your old age,
for his mother is the daughter-in-law who loves you.
She is worth more to you than seven sons!"
Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nurse.
And the neighbor women gave him his name,
at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi.
They called him Obed.
He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
~~~.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
You wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
~~~.
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
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Suggested Labels:
Father, Dad, A Father's Love, Love,
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