The image of the mother who can never forget her child is one of the most beautiful in the Bible. In today\’s first reading it is used to describe the love that God has for his people. God\’s goodness is like the mother who cares for and loves her children with tenderness. At the same time, the Lord shows us the value of the ordinary things of life by calling us to put our priorities in order and trust in God\’s fatherly providence. In today\’s Gospel, Christ uses simple examples and comparisons taken from everyday life to teach us to abandon ourselves into the arms of God. \”Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?\” (Mt. 6:26) Then he asks a question, and explains it: \”Why are you anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.\” (Mt. 6:28-29) He continues with his teaching about the kingdom of God: \”If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?\” (Mt. 6:30) The words of Christ may have sounded impossible and irresponsible. But he meant to announce the coming of his Father\’s kingdom. In his preaching, he wanted to show the necessary things in this life. This means nothing more than living a life that trusts in God\’s goodness, care and merciful love. God shows his love like a mother who has borne mankind and nourished it; he shows his love like a father who has taught his child with patience and understanding.
Dominican Life on Lotus Lane 