THE LORD IS OUR FATHER, TEACHER AND GUIDE

THE LORD IS OUR FATHER, TEACHER AND GUIDE

Taking responsibility for the good of others is not an easy task. God has called us all to care for each other, but he has given each of us a specific vocation for which we must take even more care to ensure the good of some specific people.

In today's gospel (Mt 23, 1-12) a warning and a claim appear at the same time from Jesus to those who listen to him. Jesus points out those who, having a position in which they have to care for and seek the good of others, have dedicated themselves to taking care of themselves, using the authority they received for their own benefit.

Such is the force of this claim on the part of Jesus that he goes so far as to say things like: do not call father, or teacher or guide someone who, having the obligation to behave as a father, teacher or guide, does not honor these titles by which they were called to serve, to protect, to guide, to love.

Now seen more closely, the gospel ends with a claim that is not only addressed to a few, but to everyone, since we have all been entrusted with the care and well-being of others, for which we are called to serve without waiting something in return, perhaps just the satisfaction of knowing that we are acting according to God's will. Amen

P. Carlos Flores, OSA