LOOKING LIKE DAD

“What comparison can I use to describe this breed? They are like children…” –Matthew 11:16

Mass Readings: December 15
First: Isaiah 48:17-19; Resp: Psalm 1:1-4,6; Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

Listen to the Mass Readings

We were created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:26-27). That image was marred when we sinned. The purpose of our lives is to be restored to the image of God by imitating Jesus, “the Image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). However, we are so blinded and confused by sin that we are tempted to make everyone and everything (even God) conform to our deformed image.

We are tempted to pretend to be God and to get everyone to do our will rather than God’s will. Yet we are not the Creator; we are the created (see Wis 13:5ff). We are not the perfect image of the Father but the imperfect image. We need toconform to God’s will so that ourdeformity will bereformed andtransformed.

This Advent, we began a new Church year. Let us be humble, docile children of the Father. Let us obey our Father as He teaches us what is for our good and leads us on the way we should go (Is 48:17). Let us rejoice in being conformed to the Father’s image. When we give up our desire to make the world in our image, we will be restored into God’s image and thereby find our true selves.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, cry out in my heart “Father” (Abba) (Gal 4:6).
PROMISE: “If you would hearken to My commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.” —Is 48:18
PRAISE: Putting on the mind of the Son has helped Robert relate to God the Father. He gazes at images of the Sacred Heart to keep his heart open to loving and forgiving others.