Our regularly visiting spiritual guide from Houston, Mary Beth, was with us for September's Retreat and gave the lay formation talk on God the Father's love. What follows are my notes from her talk:
We all can have many misconceptions about who God really is. Fr. Jonathan Morris' book The Promise lists several of these misconceptions: God the Vending Machine ( I put in to get what I want); God the Clock-Maker (He designed everything to just go on its own); The God of the Buffet (I pick and choose His attributes); God the Cop (He is critical and just waiting for me to screw up); God as Life Insurance (Some virtue & religion is good but let's keep a prespective on the good things of the world). None of these is accurate or reflects who God has revealed Himself to be. A more realistic view of God motivates us to love and to live in love. So, let's look at Him in the Gospels, in the person of Jesus Christ.
God is strong (eg. Christ calming the storm). God is protective (eg. giving Mary to John and John to Mary at the Cross). God is someone who provides (eg. Just look at all of Creation!). God is someone who educates and forms (eg. Christ's life w/ the Apostles). Christ is one w/ God the Father (eg. Jesus was always in prayer with his Father and Christ couldn't wait to die on the Cross b/c that was the fulfillment of the Father's will, that was all the love he could give in the Father's name). God is a healer (eg. all of Christ's helaing). God is a forgiving Father (eg. the merciful father of the Prodigal Son). God is never indifferent (eg. "If you who are wicked know how to give good gifts to your children when they ask, how much more...). God is someone who respects my freedom (eg. He challenges "Choose life." The choice is mine.) God is a daddy who meets me where I am (eg. Christ meeting the Samaritan woman at the well).
What do I do with this knowledge? First the woman, then the saint. My only security is in God my Father's infinite love. Try to be dependent, like a child. Remember, He allows suffering because it creates some pressure, it sets a deadline for me to get the growth done. Otherwise, we all would always put it off. Cling to Him in my prayer commitments, especially a "well done meditation (Fr. Thomas' challenge later). And meet Him in the Sacraments.
