(The sixth in a series of meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary by Rev. Addisalem T. Mekonnen, Spiritual Director of the Philadelphia Senatus).
It seems like everyone wants please someone else to some degree, for various reasons, depending on the nature of that relationship. A man dating his girlfriend is going to do all sorts of things he may hate doing, such as going shopping in the mall, because he wants to show how serious he is about making sacrifices for his future wife. A girl dating her boyfriend is going to do different things to make herself look more attractive because she wants to please her boyfriend. Employees, who need to support their spouse and children, will try to work hard to please their boss because they need a better position in the company and desire a pay raise to offset the added expenses of a growing family. Ultimately, no matter what someone does, they can never really be a perfect “people pleaser,” because we were not created by people for people. Rather we were created by God for God. In some sense, it seems that secular musicians and politicians are created by people for people. It’s interesting to note the different level of stress they experience before and after they work in those professions!
Our blessed Lord always ardently desired to please His Heavenly Father by being faithful to His mission on earth by doing the works that His Father does, just as children do when they see their parents. Our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit were manifested as the audience at our Lord’s Baptism in the Jordan by St. John the Baptist. God the Father is the voice from the clouds that says to Jesus, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Our Blessed Lord was hidden, patiently standing in a long line, surrounded by men and women struggling with sin, because He wanted to please sinners by showing that His holiness does not serve as a barrier between Him and them/us. Our Blessed Lord always hates sin, but never the sinner. He is the Lamb of God who came not to condemn the world, but rather to seek and save the sheep that were lost. It is important to understand the ancient understanding of the role of a king in ancient times. King David normally would lead his armies into battle, putting his own life at risk, like any other solider, on the battle field. Our Blessed Lord is baptized by water before He is baptized in blood at Calvary. He is leading His own into battle, teaching us as disciples to indeed follow Him, as He commanded.
Just as a loving father would still recognize and embrace a son of his who is battling a drug or alcohol addiction because of the bond between them, so likewise our Heavenly Father embraces us as we battle against temptations because of the bond we have as the Father’s adopted in Jesus Christ. It is the Sacrament of Baptism which was instituted by Christ that is a celebration of mercy that pleases both God and the people of God. I say not simply “people,” but “people of God” because all those who at least to try to be faithful, with the help of God’s grace, are pleasing to Him. Consequently, we learn in the Letter to the Hebrews that it is impossible to please God without faith as the author wrote, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 ).
Fr. A. Mekonnen