Sunday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
When I have conversations with people about God, the very first question I ask them is how they imagine God. I even try to probe the specifics; what does God look like? Do they imagine God to be male, female, or spirit? What qualities do they associate with God primarily? Is God smiling, frowning, angry? What does God do on a day to day basis? Although, most people cannot be sure of the answers, it gives me an insight into the kind of relationship I can expect people to have with God. In today’s gospel Jesus offers a new way to imagine God.
Let me provide the context within which Jesus does that. Today’s gospel is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been contrasting the Old Testament Laws with his New Laws. He said, “You have heard that it was said of old… but I say to you….” In the same way, Jesus now contrasts paganism and Christian discipleship. In fact, if we take into account last Sunday’s reading, we realize that this might be the main theme of the gospel reading. We heard Jesus say last week, “And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?” On the contrary, Jesus asked his disciples to love enemies and pray for those who persecute. And then, when he teaches them how to pray, he asks them not to babble like the pagans. In today’s reading he says, “So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.’ (Mt 6:33).
If we had the time, I would go into the meaning of biblical paganism. It will sufficient to say that Jesus was probably referring to polytheistic religions of his time. As Jesus contrasts paganism with Christian discipleship, he also gives his disciples the possibility of imagining God differently. He gives them the opportunity to imagine the purpose of life differently. He makes them imagine religion differently.
In my three practical implications, this is what I would like to explore.
1. Just before the passage that we have today, Jesus had taught his disciples the “Our Father.” In this way, Jesus introduced a new way of imagining our relationship with God. The first reading, in my opinion is even more radical because in a patriarchal society, Isaiah draws on the analogy of God as mother. This is different from biblical paganism. One of the characteristics of paganism is its emphasis on appeasement. The need for multiple gods in paganism is a reflection of the practice of appeasing the various gods so that every aspect of human life is secure. Jesus, on the other hand, wants to suggest that the relationship between God and disciples is not based on appeasement but rather on love. “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” Jesus is saying that immaterial of what life holds for us, this reality never changes. God is love and that must mean everything for the disciple.
2. Can we defend Jesus’ assurance in light of the hunger, poverty, and miserly we see around the world? Was Jesus encouraging a casual, irresponsible life when he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself?” I am sure that Jesus is not anti-planning, anti-security or anti-saving for the rainy day. Rather, Jesus is saying, even as you do the things you would need to do like eat, drink, and clothe yourself, do not do this as if God, who cares like a parent, does not exist. There must a difference between a disciple and the rest of the world. The difference is this – a disciple’s life – even the most basic and life sustaining aspects of a disciple’s life such as food, clothing and shelter – must be guided by his or her relationship intimate relationship with God. Do we not know of people who refuse to live this way? Do we not people who serve God and mammon? Do we not of people who make more money than some countries do and yet refuse to take social responsibility for the poor? Do we know of people who waste enough food in a day for a poor family to survive for a whole week? Is this not a debate in our nation right now about who pays how much tax? Is this not a debate in our country that those who have more should show God’s concern for those who do not? Jesus is asking us not be like the pagans. Rather, we are to keep our relationship with God constantly before our eyes so that we may not serve God and mammon; so that we may not live as if God did not exist; so that we may not live as if God does not care; so that we may not live as if everything we have is not a gift from God.
3. Hidden, in today’s gospel passage is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked demands of discipleship. Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.” But today is not the time to talk about this. I would to provide a teaser…. As you came into the church today, I am sure you noticed that on the doors was a poster that read, “They Kingdom Come.” Yes! We are having a parish mission during Lent this year. The topic of the mission is “The ‘Our Father’ for the Contemporary Catholic.’ The best way to explain a Parish Mission is to see it as a mini retreat although the sessions are held only in the evening. The dates and times for our mission is Mar 21-24 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. There will a special children’s segment and youth segment each day. On the last day there will be a huge meal as we close the mission. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is looking for a spiritual renewal. Whether we want to rediscover the God of love or seek first the kingdom of God, please do not miss this opportunity that is coming your way. Next week in the bulletin, you will find an insert with all the details. Meanwhile, please mark your calendars from Mar 21 – 24 for the parish mission.
As we celebrate this Eucharist, let us remember that God calls to celebrate the is Eucharist in love. This Eucharist is a sign of God’s constant love and care for us. We too come not to appease our God but to express our love and worship. Let us love for God show itself as we leave this Church as we deal with the basic needs of our life and with those in need. Amen.
-Fr. Satish Joseph