Like father, like son. We've all heard this adage. It shows up very strikingly in today's readings. What do the people of Israel receive? Like father, like son. The fathers have tried to make their own way. They have failed to trust in the Lord. Their society has spiraled downhill. It's full of falsehood, deceit, violence, treachery. People are trying to get what they want, when they want it, to profit themselves. That's our nature. Like father, like son, we decide to do what is right in our own eyes. Like father, like son, we fall prey to the temptations of our own desires, our own dreams. Like father, like son, we fall under God's judgment for our failure to trust in him. We have the very same pattern in our New Testament reading today. Like father, like son, the scribes and Pharisees have pursued holiness. Like father, like son, they have encouraged people to make liberal offerings. Like father, like son, they have been rigorous with themselves to keep the strictures of the Law. Like father, like son, they have failed to find the righteousness of God because they have been so intent on their own righteousness. Like father, like son, they protect the faith and kill the true prophets.
What hope is there? Like father, like son, Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the very image of the loving and forgiving Father. Like father, like son, Jesus Christ, the Son of Man is the true heir of Adam. Like father, like son, we are gathered under the loving wings of Jesus, our Father hen, brooding over us, protecting us, nurturing us. Do we bolt and run like our earthly father? Do we seek protection like our heaven-sent savior?
May we see our Lord, saying, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 23.39b).
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