CHILDREN OF GOD, NOT SLAVES

NEW YEAR FEAST - Galatians 4:4-7

In the Catholic Church, the first day of the year is a day of prayer for peace and of reflection on peace. And it is a day dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God.

This title given to Mary may sound strange and  daring, reaching the point of blasphemy. How can she be the mother of God? - meaning how can a human being bring forth God and give birth to him? However, since the beginning, this title has been used and understood as an affirmation about the divine dignity of her son Jesus. When Elisabeth welcomed Mary in her house, she felt greatly honoured, because the mother of the Lord had visited her (Lk 1:43).

Honouring Mary, the Mother of the Lord, we beseech her to intercede for us, so that we may enjoy peace. In her attitude of humility and service, she shows us the way to peace.

Bringing to mind the events of this last year, we get the feeling that peace is very far away, seeming totally unreachable. It is as if the human race has reached the point of madness, committing all kinds of atrocities and barbarities against one another. And acts of violence and oppression, common in past generations, are brought back in the name of God.

We proclaim peace in the name of God and pray to him for peace, but we may ask ourselves if this god of ours is a true god, full of love, compassion and mercy, or if he is a bloody god, who only knows revenge and who likes to feast in blood. 

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul presents some clear points, which we should always remember. He wrote:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.” (Gal 4:4-7)

1. When the fulness of time had come. This means that there was a process, or a journey to the fulness of time. The beginning is not like the end. In that process, thinks developed little by little. God did not reveal himself at once, but he accompanied the process of human history. That’s why we cannot read all passages of the Bible in the same manner. Up to the fullness of time, it was a time of preparation.
2. God sent his son. And this Son was born of a woman, chosen by God himself and prepared to be the mother of the Lord. This coming of the Son is like a new start for human history. God reveals himself as Emmanuel, that is God-with-us. Our God is not a far away god who feels that his divine dignity is diminished by coming close to men.
3. This Son of God, born of a woman, came to share human suffering. He was born under the law, redeeming those under the law, so that they may be adopted as children of God.
4. To be adopted as God’s children is the great gift of his love. And we are indeed the children of God. He bestowed on us the Holy Spirit, who enables us to address ourselves to God, calling: Dad (Abba)!
5. Since we are children, we will receive the inheritance due to children. We will have a share in God’s joy, peace and love.

According to the teachings of Islam, we are no more than slaves, and Allah, the great master, keeps his distance from these earthly slaves. As slaves, we must submit to all his wishes. Islam is that submission. 

In Christ, we know that we are no longer slaves, but children, we must see the face of God in all other children. If we live like God’s children, then we build peace and live in peace.

May God fill all of you with his blessings in this new year.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord let his face shine on you 

and be gracious to you.

May the Lord uncover his face to you 

and bring you peace.” (Numb 6:24-26)