Jesus and the Father Mt 11: 25-27
The content of this pericope clearly differs from the previous pericopes of the eleventh chapter in a different tone. While earlier Jesus criticized, complained, grieved, now full of joy, even exaltation, he turns to the Heavenly Father. The fragment we are interested in deserves additional attention because it is quite a rare example of Jesus' open, public prayer. Yes, the Evangelist John gives many examples of this prayer of Jesus, but in the synoptic tradition it is a unique phenomenon. In the Gospel we are considering, apart from this passage, only one more time, in Gethsemane, will Jesus pray in a similar way, but with limited participation of witnesses (Mt 26: 36-46). We do not mention the prayer of Our Father, because it is not really Jesus' prayer.
Only seemingly, this passage does not fit the context. Many were closed to the person and teaching of Jesus, which was reflected in the bitter words of Jesus in the previous passage, but it cannot be said that such an attitude applied to the general public. Many times, the evangelists report that crowds of people followed Jesus, stayed with Him, listened to His teaching for several days, forgetting to eat (Mt 14: 13-21; 15: 32-39). All indications are that these crowds consisted of simple people, the poor of Galilee. Every day they were exhausted with hard work, exploited by landowners; often indebted and starving. They could not count on support from the spiritual leaders of the nation. Without academic knowledge of the Law, entangled in various life situations, immoral by the position of Pharisaic puritans, they met with contempt and rejection. On a daily basis, they had real problems with living a faith filled with hope ...
Following Jesus, they encountered something they had never experienced before in their miserable lives. Someone turned his attention to them, took care of their problems, their suffering. They felt the value of humanity. The one they followed sincerely wanted their well-being, their happiness. They did not have to fear exploitation or harm. There was a gleam of hope in their lives. In their poverty, deprivation and abuse in life, they pleased God, who revealed their hearts to the saving message of his Son. He did not pay attention to their social status, level of education, or moral situation. The Creator has endowed them with boundless love, for Him they were children of special care ... Jesus is delighted with the Father's attitude and expresses it in spontaneous prayer, which at the same time shows his intimacy with the Father. This is expressed especially in the last sentence of the pericope. I and the Father are one, another evangelist will record the words of Jesus (cf. Jn. 10:30).
Others also had such an opportunity, they had an even greater chance of hearing the Gospel, making its words the content of life, experiencing the tender love of the Heavenly Father, but they scorned and waved their hand. The Good News passed them by. One can only hope that it was not an irretrievable opportunity. Maybe later, maybe in the teaching of the Church, maybe it even returned to them many times. Certainly, God gave them chances, but we do not know how they were received, how they were used. We know, however, that God cares for the little and the poor, for sinners who convert, for those who are faithful to Him.
Saint Peter will say: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him”.
(Acts 10:34). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercy and God of all encouragement”. (2 Cor 1: 3).
Today is the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha – “The Lily of the Mohawks”
Catherine Tekakwitha, (Kateri Tekakwitha) also known as "The Lily of the Mohawks", born 1656 in Osserneon (now New York State). Her mother was an Algonquin Christian and her father a non-Christian Mohawk. When Tekakwitha was 4 years old, she was orphaned during the smallpox epidemic. She survived, but she had scars on her face and damaged eyesight. Then she was adopted by her uncle. In 1676, she was baptized by a Jesuit missionary. At baptism, she was named Kateri (Catherine) in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena. Because of her faith, she was insulted and eventually even her life was in danger. She was forced to flee the village. Through the woods, she reached the village of Sault-Sainte-Marie, about 200 miles away, near Montreal, where there was a Catholic mission. In 1679 she took an oath of chastity. She became known for her pious and simple lifestyle. Indians, French, and missionaries admired her exceptional piety. She dealt with teaching children religion and to pray, taking care of the sick and the elderly, until she herself became terminally ill. She died at the age of only 24 in Caughnawaga (near Montreal, Canada) on April 17, 1680. It was Holy Wednesday. "Jesos konoronkwa", meaning "I love You, Jesus" - were her last words. Fifteen minutes after her death - in front of the two Jesuits and natives gathered in her room - the scars from her face vanished without a trace.
Prayers began for her intercession shortly after her death. In 1884, a monument was built in Kahnawake to commemorate her. On January 3, 1943, Pope Pius XII announced that the daughter of the Mohawk chief could be called a servant of God. Pope St. John Paul II beatified her on June 22, 1980. Pope Benedict XVI canonized Catherine at the beginning of the Year of Faith on October 21, 2012 in Rome.
To this day, many pilgrims visit her grave in the church of St. Francis Xavier in Kahnawake (near Montreal, Canada) and honors her relics. She is the Patron of environmentalists, exiles, people who have lost their parents, people living abroad and people ridiculed for their piety. In 2002, she also was declared patron saint of the World Youth Day held in Toronto, Canada. Next year, during our pilgrimage to the St. Joseph's Oratory in Canada, we will visit the tomb of the Lily of the Mohawks, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
She liked to carve wooden crosses, she carved thousands of them, so that Jesus would become more famous among the Indians. Later, she gave them to people, hung them on trees, left them near lakes and in the fields. During the winter hunting season, when she and the villagers were away, she made a small wooden chapel with a carved cross and spent her time praying there, kneeling in the snow. Catherine loved the rosary and always wore it around her neck. She was called “The Lily of the Mohawks”
Until Tomorrow
fr. george