In yesterday’s reflection, we asked if the concept of the “perfect father-son team” resonated with you. We believe that many of you may not have been able to relate to it, as you may not believe that you could become a perfect team with our Heavenly Father. This is understandable. First, we do not think that we are worthy of collaborating with our Heavenly Father. Second, we do not think that we have the ability to be a perfect partner to our Heavenly Father, let alone help advance His salvific plan! You may think that this role can only be fulfilled by the Son of God, Jesus. But is that true?

Indeed, Jesus is the Son of God, and of course, His role is irreplaceable. However, let us not forget that Jesus has repeatedly declared that He would only perform the work entrusted to Him by the Father. In fact, in John 5:19, He said, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” Jesus clearly indicated that everything the Son did, how He did it, and when He did it, were all under God the Father’s authority. Jesus was the One entrusted with the mission to carry them out.

Furthermore, in John 8:28-29, Jesus said, “I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” Jesus said that He did not act on His own, nor did He try to carry out what was entrusted to Him according to His will or in His own way. Jesus even stated that what He said was based on the Father’s instructions. This further reveals that not only did the authority rest with the Father, but also the execution details and His teaching content were from the Father.

Yet, Jesus did not mind not being the one in charge, and willingly cooperated with the Father and enjoyed His Father’s companionship. He took great pleasure in pleasing the Father and considered it His responsibility.

In John 14:10, Jesus said, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Jesus once again explained that the words He spoke were not His own but were from the Father.

He even emphasized that it was the Father who dwelled in Him doing the Father’s work.

Jesus could collaborate unceasingly with the Father in this way because He humbly submitted to the Father and, more importantly, because He lived in the Father and allowed the Father to live in Him. This shows us how to become the perfect partner with the Father.

What is even more surprising is that Jesus did not know the day when the Son of Man would come again. When Jesus spoke to His disciples about the end times in Matthew 24:36, He said, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” From this we know how Jesus allowed the Father to work in and through Him without any reservation. He willingly submitted Himself completely to the authority of the Father, perfectly cooperating with the Father’s plans and work.

There are more examples in the Gospel that show Jesus as a collaborator with the Father, rather than taking the leading role. Even though He is the Son of God, He offered the ultimate decision-making power to the Father.

The Father wants each of us children to learn from Jesus. When we question our ability to be a perfect partner to the Father, especially when we feel weak, unworthy, and inadequate, we must remember that Jesus, as the Son of God, was willing to hide in the weakness of His humanity to serve the Father, and was even willing to reveal His weakness before His creation.

We really have no reason not to admit and accept our own weaknesses, while at the same time face our hidden pride squarely, so that we can imitate Jesus to willingly expose our weaknesses and humbly cooperate with the Father.

Reflection

Can you recall some instances in the Gospel where Jesus humbly admitted that He needed to rely on the power of God to carry out His mission?

Compared to the humility of Jesus, do you see the pride in yourself?

After today’s reflection, do you have any new thoughts on whether you can become the perfect partner of the Father?

Today’s Prayer

Merciful Father, thank You for allowing me to see not only my weaknesses but also my pride during today’s reflection. I constantly make excuses for myself for declining Your invitation and being unwilling to bear my own responsibilities. You made me understand that these attitudes and behaviours are the same as rejecting Your love for me. Please grant me greater courage to face myself and to face You, and let me become Your worthy child. For this I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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