XXI Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – August 23, 2020 Great is God’s power and awesome his mystery, but greatest of all is his love Readings: Isaiah 22: 19-23 / Psalm 137 / Romans 11: 33-36 / Matthew 16: 13-20
Who are the wisest and most educated in the study of God? Normally, we would think of the saints of our tradition, bishops, the Pope and some renowned theologians. However, to be very educated in theology is no guarantee of closeness to God.
In today’s second Reading from the letter to the Romans, St. Paul speaks about the majesty and omnipotence of God and how his ways are infinitely beyond our reach and thinking. In a certain manner, the apostle highlights a sense of distance between God and human beings.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” (Romans 11: 33-35).
The words of St. Paul resound the message of the prophet Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55: 8-9).
At the same time, Paul does not manifest any worry no does he have any fear of speaking about God. On the contrary, his words clearly demonstrate a relationship with our Lord and God. “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11: 36). His words express praise, not distance or resignation.
What is our posture before such a great mystery? How does one respond to the immensity of our Creator? While we are His creatures, we must not remain passive before God, but should open our hearts to receive all that he promises and seeks to grant us.
St. Paul recognizes his littleness before our Creator and seems to have arrived at the end of his comprehension and knowledge of God. However, in truth he is recognizing a new stage in his relationship with the Lord. It is not about ignorance nor being insignificant before God. To the contrary, the greatness and all-powerful nature of God are viewed as a consoling truth which gives us a purpose on which we can undergird our lives.
The great apostle speaks of humility before the Most High and recognizes his lack of knowledge of the divine mysteries. Still, he senses a great attraction to be in the presence of his Creator. Paul realizes that human weakness, especially his own, is not an impediment, but is the manner in which we receive the Lord’s graces.
The example of this saint teaches us that the experience of closeness to God is the fruit of having perceived his infinite power and majesty, but that his loving-kindness is even greater.
Receiving the image of God imprinted in the depths of our interior, our soul, is what makes us a human person. There exists a relationship between God and us and more than a curiosity, it is his will and initiative.
It is true that God’s ways are unsearchable; however, he beckons us to trust him and follow him in and through Christ, who took on our humanity so we might understand that God is eternal, but never distant.
How is it possible to understand God’s will? By loving as he has loved us. How is it possible to comprehend his Divine Mercy? By being merciful. How is it possible to understand God’s Divine Providence? By being generous and grateful. How is it possible to be fully human? By being convinced that God loves us and by imitating him through our love.