The Woman At The Well

“Which of the two did the Father’s will?” (Matt 21:33)

God is always completely good.  Jesus, the Son of God, is completely good too; he always loves the Father, always does what is pleasing to Him; he always follows the will of the Father, even to death. Ever willing to “go it alone” in accepting God’s direction, Jesus’ humility is as humble as a child who lovingly accepts his parent’s directives.

From the context of this parable, the meaning is obvious, only hardness of heart of the Pharisees keep them from grasping the answer.  As blind and deaf as those who seek a miracle from Jesus, the Pharisees are more adept at scheming than thinking.  Pride and arrogance rule their lives; they plot against the one who speaks truth. Jesus speaks in parables so the innocent, the unsophisticated, the humble, like the prostitutes can understand him.

Faithful in all ways, Jesus speaks truths so man can love, honor and obey the Father.  No matter how unfaithful, how disobedient man is to God, He cannot be unfaithful.  Jesus is faithful to the Father and man whom He loves.  He speaks truths whereby man can learn and grow into the image of God.

‘Honor thy Father’ implies obedience to his authority, whether heavenly or human origin.   Both John and Jesus’ authority come from God; both preach repentance, not defiance; both are rejected and persecuted by the leaders of God’s people, people who are to follow the ways of God.

Jesus desires all to be a part of the kingdom of God.  By speaking truth in this parable, Jesus is speaking of himself and the Father and their relationship, a relationship of love and goodness.  “Abba,” is a more intimate, more loving title than one of human paternity (father); “Abba” shows closeness between the Father and Son.  To Jesus, true son-ship is sacred.  Ordinary people accept his holiness, his closeness to the Father.  God cannot be a father to those who do not respond in love and obedience.  He asks man to change his mind, his ways of acting and return to His kingdom.

Come back to me with all your heart

Don’t let fear keep us apart.

Long have I waited for your coming home again,

And living deeply our new love.

Sin is foreign to Jesus; to him disobedience is a failure- a failure of what man can and ought to be.  Jesus shows by his obedience what man who loves, says and does; they are one and the same.  “You must be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect.” (Matt5:48)  Jesus is the spokesman for God; “He is the living God, the Father of all people.”(Bl Paul VI, Oct 4, 1965)