As Christians, we naturally look to the second person of the Trinity as our model for living. Because we can point to accounts of Jesus’ human experiences and the conditions to which he subjected himself, we can see clearly our model to imitate. Reading and reflecting on today’s scripture, I was reminded how the Father, though never taking on human form in his person, also models how we might live through his interactions with his people over time.

The Parable of the Tenants in today’s gospel from Matthew is filled with allegory. With a landowner and his vineyard used as the backdrop for God’s relationship with his people, the landowner keeps sending his emissaries, to include his very own son, despite offense after offense of the most profound kind from his tenants. Just so, over the ages God sent his prophets and even so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son to redirect and guide his beloved people who continued to miss the mark.

What love! What loving patience it must take the Father to endure in his relationship with us, even now. Ages of offenses have as of yet not resulted in the Father’s abandonment of us. Is this not remarkable? Further, is this not a remarkable example the Father has set for us?

When we feel disregarded by others, the Father understands.

When we feel mistreated, as Joseph was by his brothers, the Father understands.

When our greatest sacrifices for others are unappreciated and discarded, the Father understands.

In his most trying time, during his passion, Jesus turned to his Father. This Lent, let us do the same. Let us turn to the Father for the strength to forgive and endure as he has done for us since he created us.