In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost."
Despite the possibility of a second visit with what appeared to be a heavenly woman, Juan Diego took a different route into Mexico City. The only father the young man had known since early childhood was sick, His uncle needed medical care and the lad had no time for visions.
Like many mistakes we make, his facts and his impulse were good; his conclusion was wrong. But we can admire him for his dedication to a beloved elder; he is acting as a Good Shepherd might act. Fortunately, the Queen intercepted him on his different route, reassured him about his uncle, and gave the young catechumen a new direction for his life. His conversion provides one more example of Heaven's kindly concern for everyone.
Many things in life are very hard and we often use them to blame God for its challenges, obstacles, frustrations, and disappointments. Angry, anxious Christians sometimes cherry-pick the Bible for its more gruesome passages and use them to portray God as arbitrarily cruel. The promises of the prophets, the Psalms, the Lord's parables, and his personal witness refute that.
As the Son of God, Jesus knows God as his Father and insists that His will and the Father's are identical. Despite the many challenges that we personally experience, and the horror stories that others tell, we accept the Word that Jesus has spoken. Our God is benevolent and extraordinarily generous.
I think of the example of listening to someone while they speak to a mutual friend over the telephone. You cannot hear what the other party is saying but you follow the conversation easily. When you hear a clever remark, you know how the other replies and laugh with them.
We watch Jesus in constant communication with his Father and we follow their conversation. When we see him approaching Jerusalem with utter confidence; when we witness his passion and death on the cross; when we see him raised from the dead: we see the God who cannot be seen. And we are satisfied that we know the One whom we should adore. He sent the Good Shepherd to save us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.