“Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten” (Rev 3:19).
The Word teaches us that in everything He does or permits, our Father always has in mind the lofty goal toward which He wishes to lead us: into eternity, which we are to spend with Him and in His presence in infinite bliss. This goal far surpasses our earthly aspirations, and we must learn to understand it. Our perspective is usually dominated by the pursuit of fleeting happiness, and that is what we strive for, whether consciously or unconsciously. This is why such a word may sound threatening to us. However, we have our lack of understanding and our emotions to blame for this because they are often still too strongly bound to the earthly dimension of life.
It is different with our Father.
Despite all the tenderness with which He looks upon us, even spoils us, and often seeks to bring us joy through the smallest and most insignificant things, we are still meant to grow in faith. That is why He “draws” us to where we are to make progress in faith and in the virtues. Thus, the Father points us toward “what is right,” which we are to fulfill. He also makes us aware when we fall short and need to correct ourselves. Only when we are purified and our capacity for love is fully awakened and directed toward God can we stand before Him face to face and see Him as He is. We must be completely cleansed of sin by the blood of the Lamb and overcome every attachment to sin until it becomes repulsive to us.
Everything our Father desires for us is found in His service; through it, we will be able to put on the wedding garment purchased for us by the Son of God. That is why a passage such as the one we have chosen as our guide today helps us thank Him for His fatherly love that shapes us!