HOW MUCH MORE!
Making comparisons are a natural—and favorite—human activity. Take it from one who has been an educator for over forty years. I have had students who were in high school more than thirty years ago, whose sons and daughters are now students in the same institution where I was then, and where I am now. I cannot help but figuratively put them side by side (that, by the way, is the meaning of “parable”—something laid alongside), and compare them with each other.
When you “lay something alongside another,” the two are seen to be either alike or they stand in contrast to each other. In some ways, father and son are alike. In other ways, the two could not be more different from one another.
Today’s parable stands on the twin realities of comparison and contrast. The householder was prevailed upon by his neighbor’s pleadings. He capitulated, not so much on account of compassion, as of exhaustion. At first blush, prayer— the fervent kind—seems to do as much, that is, make God capitulate in exasperation. Now that is shallow comparison. What concerns us here, really, is not the comparison but the contrast. And what is the node of that contrast? It’s that God’s ways are not man’s ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts.
The “friend” laid alongside us for our consideration is both shameless and one who would not take “no” for an answer. But this is the whole point of the parable. When put alongside us humans, God is head and shoulders above us. If earthly fathers could not and would not give their hungry sons stones in place of bread, or snakes instead of fish, the question is, “how much more” when it comes to God?
Yesterday, I talked about how this God of ours can allow us to suffer. Yes, God allows bad things do happen to good people—for good reason. And that reason just goes through the roof and breaks through the charts. If not now, then in His own good time. “How much more” is not a question but a statement of faith. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------
Have you ever experienced receiving from God so much more than what you asked Him? How did you feel about it?
You are the God of so much more, dear Lord. Help me to always remember that. Amen.
Today, I pray for: ___________________________
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