Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Every spring, as I begin working in the garden next to the small pond we call “Maria Laach,” I notice the arrival of two Canadian geese. Although I can’t be sure, I think it is the same pair, male and female, that would grace us every year with their presence. There is a sliver of land that extends into the pond, and at the end of this, they prepare the nest. Soon the female is sitting on about six to eight eggs, while the male stands guard to ward off any curious animal. Before long, the goslings hatch, and the parents begin teaching them how to swim, how to eat, and how to stay close together for their protection. After several weeks, it is time to migrate to the larger Lake Placid. Often the little ones work their way into the feathers of the mother goose to hitch a ride as it is quite a distance.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses a similar image to describe his relationship to the Chosen People of Jerusalem. “How many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!”
How often are we like the children of Jerusalem? Jesus wants to gather us to himself, to press us close to his bosom, to carry us to our goal. Instead, we wander off by ourselves. We fall prey to dangerous animals who want to make of us a tasty meal.
This beautiful maternal image of Jesus is a powerful lesson. There are two activities here. Jesus wants to carry us through the journey of life. But we must be willing to do our part, to get aboard and let Jesus be like a mother hen/goose to us.
Reflection by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections