Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

Father’s Day is one of my favorite holidays because being a dad is one of my most important roles (second only to “Child of God” and “husband”). My kids treat me to lunch. We go do something fun, then relax as a family in the evening. I also usually get to grill a huge steak for myself for dinner. Being a father is an incredibly important job, and I love celebrating my fatherhood.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus refers to God as “father.” This upset the legalist Pharisees, because by referring to God as his own father, Jesus made himself equal to God. The Pharisees were rule followers. They focused on the hundreds of Old Testament laws that Jews had to follow. They looked good on paper, but frequently came into conflict with Jesus. When Jesus referred to God as his father, it REALLY drew their ire.

The Holy Trinity is a nearly incomprehensible mystery: three distinct divine persons… yet one God. Jesus IS equal to the Father (as is the Holy Spirit). What does this mean for us? It means that the words and actions of the Holy Trinity all carry the same divine weight. It means we have to actively pursue the will of the Father with the intercession of the Son and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It means that when Jesus says things like, “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me,” it’s not just him saying it.

Today, spend some time discerning the will of God—all three divine persons—in your life and determine if all three hold the same weight in your heart and prayer life. If not, what a great time to change! The Pharisees missed it, but you don’t have to. When it comes to our Catholic faith, every day should be Father’s Day… and Son’s Day… and Holy Spirit’s Day!

Jason Trujillo is Digital Communications & Volunteer Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Central Florida.

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