Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
As I write this reflection, my best friend and his wife are at the hospital, in labor, preparing for the birth of their first child. Even before glancing at today’s Mass readings I knew what the subject of this reflection would be… this child, which I am so blessed to call my Godson, or Goddaughter as the case may be (if I receive an update before this reflection is complete, I will have to remind myself to update this point). With so much potential for this child and with an entire future yet to behold before this young family, one thing is certain: this child will be a child of God!
By recognizing the God-given potential of a new life, we are challenged to acknowledge the God-given potential of our own lives; that we too are called to be children of God. But what does it mean to be a child of God? Today’s first reading offers us some insight into this very question. Writing on the children of Israel, Ezekial describes them as having one prince, belonging to one nation, and having one shepherd. These points are all fulfilled in today’s Gospel as Jesus, our Prince of Peace and Shepherd, is prophesied to gather into one nation the dispersed children of God. In specifics, what does this mean for the identity of a child of God? I believe the answer lies in one simple line from the first reading: “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” As children of God, we belong to God! And it is important to recognize that this belonging is not some individualistic or exclusive belonging, but rather the inclusive belonging of a community, a nation, a people, or more specifically, a Church!
Both the first reading and the Gospel make it very clear that the children of God are meant to be gathered into one. To be a child of God, gathered into one, is to be part of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is 'the world reconciled.'” (CCC 845) Furthermore, with regard to the Church, Pope Francis has said the following: “The Church is born from the desire of God to call all people into communion with Him, to His friendship, and indeed, as His children, to partake of His own divine life.”
As children of God, we are not only born into the world, but we are born into the Church, who is our mother. Bishop Ireneaeus of Lyons wrote: "We need to take refuge with the Church, to drink milk at her breast, to be fed with the scriptures of the Lord. For the Church has been planted in the world as a paradise." And who is the Church? Us! Therefore, I ask all of you to pray for this young life- for their future, for their family, for me as live out the vocation of being a Godparent, that they would love God, and that they would live out faithfully and passionately their filial existence as a child of God- a disciple of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Ryan J. Mahle