Tom Hagen was family. Santino, aka Sonny, as Italians used to nickname their first son, found him living on the streets, and brought him home. The family took him in, and raised him as a Corleone, and despite his Irish-German heritage, he grew into the family, became family, and assumed his new found heritage. But in times of trouble, when wine or anger bring out the truth, Sonny blurted out "at least Pop had Genko, all I have is you!" Referring to the Godfather's counselor or consigliere, although Tom was like family, and the family lawyer, he was adopted in, and not even Italian. He had all the blessings, and all the power that came with the Corleone name, but didn't have the name. He was still and always would be a Hagen.
But the wise old Don knew much more than Sonny ever would. He understood because he himself had been taken in when forced to leave his native Italy. He understood how Tom would have an allegiance to the family who saved his life, and a debt that he knew he could never repay. So the only way Tom could honor the Don was by his dying devotion to him. He could call him Pop like the other sons, but to Tom he was much more. He was Tom's salvation and would also be his Godfather. But because of his relationship as a son, he always had ready access to the Don, and his relationship with the Don may have been more than Sonny's. Sonny was born into the family, but Tom was adopted in, despite all his sins and past. But in an interesting twist, the Don never formally adopts him, out of respect for his real father. And Tom would faithfully serve the family, and Michael, except for a short period when the Don would counsel Michael. As Michael said, "who could be a better consigliere than my father?"
Matthew 25 tells us that we were all once strangers until Jesus took us in. When we repent and give our lives to Him, we are adopted, or grafted into the family. We have all the love, respect, power, and access to the throne of God in heaven as the ones who have known Him for five or fifty years. No earning of respect, or making your bones with Jesus, all things are granted to you upon salvation. All our past is wiped away, and like Tom Hagen, we still have our old heritage, and old earthly fathers, but now have a hope and future and a relationship with our heavenly father. But unlike Tom, many do not take full advantage of our new found freedom in Christ. We still act like we are heathens, and the most we do is fill a pew-sometimes. We have this inheritance, that unlike Tom, we refuse to enjoy. When Tom used the name Corleone, it had power and authority, backed up by the Don. Do we use the name of Jesus the same way? Do we have faith in God to take us through tough times, or do we fret and worry as if still strangers? Jesus calls us friends if we do as He asks-love. Do we, do we really love our enemies like He asks? Do we trust Him when their is no evidence of Him? Do we love and respect Him? Do we have an allegiance to God the Father like Tom had to his Godfather?
When tested like Michael tested him, do we forego personal gain, and remain loyal to God, no matter what the cost? Do we really have the sense of family and love that God brings to us? Tough questions, that take a passionate heart to answer.
The Godfather is fiction. Jesus Christ is real. Today you will be face with decisions, and situations where you need to call on God. Will you find Him to be the loving Father He says He is, or will you just cry out to Him, and then lean on your own understanding if you don't like the answer? Questioning God is like telling Him you know better than He does, in any situation. We are told to trust, and obey. Not question Him or negotiate for a better deal. For what deal could be better than the one who saved your life's offer? You see Pop may have had Genko, and Sonny never appreciated what he had in Tom, but we have Jesus. Have you underestimated His love today?
Take full advantage of your new heritage today. Seek God, listen to God, trust God, and obey God. When confronted with having his signature or his blood on a new contract, a bandleader chose his signature. When confronted with all the sins of mankind, Jesus chose to shed His blood for us. He gave it all. What will your choice be?
For who could be a better counselor than your heavenly Father?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com
