What kind of Image of God do we have?
God, a merciful father, all Powerful Ruler, a Fulfiller of all kinds of wishes or miracle worker: Yes, these are some of our association on God.And it is certainly not that easy- especially after hearing the readings of this Sunday, to create a clear picture of God.
In the first reading, we see Abraham and his son Isaac. God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham had placed great hope in (t)his late-born Child, who was finally the gift of God. As a father the demand of God to Abraham was shocking. However, Abraham follows God's words: after the toil and much internal struggle of Abraham, God feels the real faith and obedience of Abraham and the will of God is changed. He calls it as a test in which Abraham remains victorious.
Here God appears at first as an impossible Lord, who seeks for the sacrifice of the only son of Abraham. But at the end of the story, God remains as a demanding, yet a merciful Father. The Gospel gives a different image of God. It begins with a nice story - the transfiguration of Jesus. The great prophets - Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus, which makes the scene even more beautiful. Apostle Peter was perplexed - he does not know what to say at all. He wanted to build three tents, so that they can be there for long time; so that this beautiful experience may never be lost. Yeah, actually who really wants to lose something like this? Neither Apostle Peter nor we...
But, only one has the courage to do it; Jesus. He thinks one should not remain on the top of beautiful experiences and stick on to them for ever. Further more their way and the goal should be in mind. The goal of Jesus mission is heaven. His way is through "Jerusalem" and it also awaits him another "hill" in "Golgotha."
Like Abraham, Jesus was tested. Abraham was going through a tough test - to sacrifice his son, Jesus, however, had to leave a nice and safe place of experiences and security.
Behind this renunciation of Jesus, we may find the hidden a father - the will of God - Jesus followed. The will of God is to sacrifice his own only son - Jesus. This is not to assert the will of God - his Power and greatness - but a larger and more meaningful sacrifice for the humanity is planned in the suffering of Jesus.
Abraham gains sympathy through being tested. God the Father, however, does seek our sympathy, for it is His will to do so.
But this should help us to improve our understanding and faith and image of our saving and sacrificing God. Then, God the Father loved us so much; he suffered for us that cannot be expressed in words. Perhaps the same as Jesus suffered on the cross...
Now, my dear friends, let us ask ourselves, what kind of Image of God do we have?
Lent is the time to seek and find a true and attaching image of God in my personal life. Our fasting, our special renunciations, our special prayers during these days should really be a help in this search. May God bless us all in this search for a real image of God in following him. Amen!
-Fr Thomas Kalathil
No comments:
Post a Comment