+ Our readings today seem to hit the nail squarely on the head.
The dynamic involved in the
first reading from the Book of Joshua is a familiar one. The people of Israel
are quite human, and quite in need of constant reminders and life-lessons as
they at least try to remain faithful and grateful to the God of the Fathers,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Today, addressing the flock of
God who is now free and establishing themselves in the land of Promise, Joshua
thinks out loud and says in effect: as I look back and see the marvels and
wonders that have occurred in our finally arriving at this place, and sensing
that only the Divine Finger of God could have led them there, safely, he states
that: while some still wish to follow the pagan gods we left behind ages ago, I
and my family will serve, love, worship and adore the one God, the Father God
who assuredly has blessed us so.
Then in a parrotical – i.e..
parrot-like fashion the people pipe up: “Far be it from us to turn our backs on
the God who saves us, we will serve him completely and wholeheartedly too!”
Then, Joshua pulls them up
short: “O really! Are you sure you can serve such a holy God, a jealous God who
will not forgive your transgressions or your sins – if you can’t stay on a
straight and narrow path?”
But they insisted: “O yes! We
can! And we so commit ourselves today!”
Joshua, probably hesitantly
declares: “OK, you say so! And I will build a shrine on the spot to mark your
resolve! a large stone set under the oak that was in the sanctuary! ‘This shall
witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” [Hmmm Joshua knew his
audience thoroughly!]
In the gospel passage, Jesus
embraces and places his hands on the children: reminding us that we must always
remain childlike – but at some decisive point we must leave our selfish,
bullyish, self-gratifying childish selves behind, or we will not qualify for
life in the Father’s Mansion in Heaven.
We pray in thanksgiving for
those who model childlike behavior. We pray to the God of justice and mercy to
convert and heal those childish, self-possessed bullies of any age – lest they
wreak damage and even disaster in the lives of others: this goes a
thousand-fold for Donald Trump, President of the United States – who apparently
is stuck in his early formative years – and just refuses to get past it, and
into a mature, grown up manner of living and dealing with other people!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord
of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the
Kingdom – the child-like! the child-LIKE!
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