Parental Love

Homily for Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent

At first we might be put off when we hear God refer to Israel as “maggot” or “worm.” However, if we pay attention, you might hear a modern-day parent call a child “bug,” or “Bee,” or “Midge,” or “Ladybird.” These familiar parental nicknames usually come from a place of warmth and intense feelings between father or mother and daughter or son. So God’s nickname for Israel is probably a reference to a wriggling baby in the arms of its mother and a sentiment of parental love.

The second half of the reading reveals this very closely as God lists all the wonderful things that God will do for Israel. One is left with the impression of a God who is full of care and concern and compassion for the beloved children of Israel. The repetition of the first person pronoun, “I,” leaves no doubt that all of the wonders listed will be performed by God, not some agent or minion.

Psalm 145 echoes these sentiments as it sings of God’s goodness. It is God who is good to all creatures, encompassing deeds of rescue as well as providing for our needs. God supports those who are falling and raises up those who are bowed down. The psalmist’s praise of God extends to the whole universe for all time.

Such concern can only be greeted with our own personal thanks for all that God does for each of us. As our good friend Fr. Lennon is constantly reminding me, God is so good to me and to all of us. Our Eucharist is the only fitting thanks we can offer.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator