Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 / Matthew 12:46-50 (2022)
During the time of the Old Testament, the image that people had of a deity was one that was mighty and strong.
Hence when one nation went into war with another nation, it was also a battle between the gods of the two nations.
The conqueror would also destroy all stone or wood images of the deity of the vanquished in order to show the power of conqueror's god.
Associated with the power and might of the deity was also the fury and the chastisement the deity would inflict on the people if the people were to disobey it or turn away from it.
This is where there is a fundamental difference between the God of Israel and the other deities of the other nations.
As much as God protects and provides for His people, He is also a merciful and compassionate God, slow to anger and rich in love.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Micah affirmed this attribute of God when he said: What god can be compared with you - taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy?
That is the image of God that Jesus came to show, and that is also the God we worship and adore.
In and through Jesus, we call God our Father. In and through Jesus we know what He wants of us His children.
Our Father's will is that we become like Him, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
May we, who are God's children, truly reflect His loving image to others.