Fourteenth Sunday  July 3, 2011

Zechariah 9:9-10 Ps 145:   Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 

Theme:  The Image of our God.

1. The Image of God as Almighty.

There is a song that children used to sing in Grade Two.  “What colour is God's skin?” Is it black, brown, is it yellow... it is red, it is white ? These words were written when racial tension ran high. Racial tension still is here and will always be here as long as we see differences rather that the similarities that bind us human beings together. The colour of God’s skin, the image of God changes as our social issues change and as we respond rather than react to them.

 In the Old Testament, the image of God was one who was Almighty, all -knowing, all-holy.  One could not even speak God’s name. The unthinkable happens. God decides to mingle with us. God comes to us in flesh. But

• we still expect God to be all powerful.
• We expect God to sort out the mess we are in.
• We expect God to conquer sin and cast the devil into hell where he belongs.

This is the image of God.  Zechariah in our first reading shows us how “out of focus” is our image of God. God comes humbly, without power. God comes riding on a donkey without outriders or bodyguards.

2. The image of God as a Winner.

Psalm:  As human beings we want to be on the side of winners. We do not want to be seen in the company of losers. God will eventually conquer all. Our response is “I will bless your name forever, my God and my king.” In 1992 and 1993, the Blue Jays were the World Series champs. At that time you could not get a ticket in Toronto for any price. Today they are below the 500 mark. Now you can get a ticket – any ticket five minutes before the game begins. We want to be on the side of winners.

 The same applies with our relationship with God.

• When we have a good job, and good health.
• When our family is doing well.
• When we can go on holidays abroad once or even twice a year,

then our response is “I will bless your name forever, my God and my king.”. Then things begin to fall apart. A loved one dies. We are in financial difficulties. We ask, “Has God forgotten us?” We say, how can there be a God when there is so much suffering in the world? We create an image of God and demand that God live up to the image of God that we have created.

3.  The Image of God as revealed in human beings.

In the reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of the works of the Spirit. He is not speaking of the Holy Spirit, but rather the Spirit that is in each person as we reflect the image and likeness of God.  Genesis 1:26: Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.”  As a result, we have the potential, the invitation to be all powerful, all knowing, all loving, all merciful. But it is only “a potential”. It is only “what could possibly happen”. We have to make this a reality with a life that is powerful, wise, loving and compassionate. By nature, we are called to reflect the Image of God. We have also the power to turn away from God and produce acts that are destructive, divisive, disrupt and deceitful. This happens when we turn our face away from God. Then what should we do?

4. Be childlike to see the Image of God.

Jesus tells us the “what and how” in the Gospel. Jesus invites us to be innocent, open and generous like little children. We are to be child-like and not childish. Children are born without a bias or a prejudice. The Word of God falls on them as seed on fertile soil. It can produce a harvest that is 100 fold.

 As we grow up we put our cares, our worries first. These choke the Word of God and will not let it grow. Meanwhile the world around us gives us different standards. “Our king cannot come riding on a donkey. He cannot be meek and humble.” He should come with power and might. He should come in chariots with guards. Quickly we loose our childlikeness. We buy into the standards and values of this world. We prefer the broad and easy path. It is taken by many and it leads to destruction and death We should with childlike simplicity choose the narrow and less trodden path which leads to life.

The Gospel has three paragraphs with three different ideas:

• Be like little children
• Only Jesus can give us the Revelation of the true image of God. Jesus and the Father are one.
• Jesus invites us to come to him when things get tough and difficult.

These were teaching given by Jesus at different times. Matthew joins them together as treasure trinkets on one chain. However the more we pray and meditate on them, the closer we come to the true image of God. We come closer to know the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. Then we will know the height and the breadth, the length and the depth of God’s love for us. We can look into the face of God and know clearly what God wants to reveal to us.

Story: (I have used this often before)

AT Christmas time, the teacher explained to the children that Jesus came into the world so that we might know God. He became flesh and blood like us so that we could see and hear, touch and taste – the invisible God. She then asked the children to draw something that was connected with Christmas. Some drew the manger, others the star of Bethlehem, still others drew the angels and shepherds. Little Emily screwed up her little face as she furiously put her crayons to the paper. What are you drawing Emily, asked the teacher. I am drawing the Face of God, replied Emily. But protested the teacher, No one knows what God looks like!  They will, after I finish, said Emily with determination.