• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Mike Landry: Catholic speaker, writer, & music minister in Alberta, Canada HomepageMike Landry: Catholic speaker, writer, & music minister in Alberta, Canada

  • About Mike
  • Speaking
  • Writing
    • Articles by Topic
    • YouCat: Our Catholic Faith
    • Unfolding Scripture: God’s Covenants with Humanity
    • Dive into Mark’s Gospel
    • Dive into John’s Gospel
    • A Person First: The battle for purity
  • Music
    • St. Peter Sessions
  • Contact

servants of God

May 15, 2016 By Mike Landry

Sons, Servants, and Robin Hood

Photo Credit: FreeFoto.com (Creative Commons License)
Photo Credit: FreeFoto.com (Creative Commons License)

A student recently asked me why the most recent translation of the Mass prefaces the Our Father with these words:

…at the Savior’s command, and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray…’ 

It was particularly the word ‘dare’ that stuck out to him, as it seemed odd to suggest that something we’ve been doing most of our lives (praying the Lord’s prayer) was a daring action.  I’ve written previously about the concept of divine sonship – using the relationship of father/son (parent/child) to help us understand the closeness God desires to have with us.  When one understands that he or she is loved unconditionally, they become capable of incredible things.  This is why the image of God as a Father and we as His beloved sons and daughters is woven throughout scripture.  St. John writes: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).

The danger with a relationship seen only through this lens is that children don’t automatically see the responsibilities that come with their relationship.  A child growing up on a farm may love the farm animals and not comprehend that he or she will be required to do simple chores to help maintain that farm (and if that same child eventually inherits the farm, they’ll need to learn and do all the work!)  This is why St. Paul writes about the other side of this relationship: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1).

To consider oneself a son/daughter and a servant of God seems like a strange pairing.  You don’t expect someone to have the same sort of intimacy with their son the same way they would with a cook.  You don’t expect the same immediate obedience from a child as you do someone on the payroll.  And yet, in relation to God – each one of us is both child and servant.  It may be that we can look to the story of Robin Hood for some inspiration…

[Read more…] about Sons, Servants, and Robin Hood

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Reflections Tagged With: children of God, faith, responsibility, Robin Hood, servants of God, stewards of God's mysteries

Footer


  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Who is Mike Landry?

A husband & father of five children, Mike serves most days as Chaplain to Evergreen Catholic Schools.

[Click to read more…]

Diving into Scripture

Echoing an invitation from Archbishop Richard Smith, Mike has some resources to get you started on reading your Bible more often.
[Click to read more…]

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • contact

Mike Landry is a Catholic speaker based near Edmonton, Alberta who serves in Western Canada & beyond.
All content is intended to reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church. © 2019, Feel free to get in touch!

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.