Father and Son

Today’s first reading, psalm, and Gospel elegantly intertwine. They remind us that in this life things are never as they seem and that God’s word is always relevant to our lives.

We are part way through St Paul’s preaching in the synagogue of Perga. He is denouncing the Jerusalem leadership for its injustice in murdering the one promised to their ancestral fathers. The leaders were seemingly all-powerful, but their corrupt world was overturned by the Father who raised his Son from death; “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”

The Psalm turns its attention to the evildoers of the wider world; “the nations,” the “kings of the earth,” “the rulers.” They plot against the Lord and His anointed. But the Lord “laughs”; “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”

In John’s gospel, Jesus assures us that his Father has room for each of us that believe in Him.

One should always be cautious in interpreting current events in the light of eternity. However, the Vatican II fathers reminded us that we are called to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16 and 24, Luke 21).

Those following the Royal Commission into Banking will know that many bankers, financiers, accountants, and lawyers; who are undoubtedly the modern, all-powerful ‘kings of the earth’ – so many of them highly prominent in attacking Christian personal and corporate values – are being revealed for who they truly are. “The nations conspire…but the Lord has them in derision.”

At times the coalition of those opposed to Christians can seem overwhelming. We need to remember who is actually in control of our destiny. “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms…I go to prepare a place for you.” We have placed our trust not in material possessions, not in political ideologies, not in philosophies nor ‘spirituality’ but in the only one who offers salvation. “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me.”