20 January 2017 - with him

 [ Today's Readings ]

Saint Fabian

Why does God pursue us? Our history with him is so meandering, so marked with failures on our part, that we may wonder. Is each new intervention just one more attempt to get us to fall in line, to be good, and to act right? Is he mostly concerned with keeping order, in making sure we behave appropriately? No! We constantly fail to act rightly. He could force us to do so if this was what he really wanted. But what he actually really wants are our hearts and our minds. He knows us and loves us. He wants us to know and love him.

But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
and I will write them upon their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.

He is concerned with our behavior, of course. But he is not going to make any intervention that takes away from our potential to freely love him. Loving him freely is what we are meant to do. This is the ultimate meaning of every human life including yours and mine.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
He calls us all to follow him. This following isn't just about aping correct behavior. The main thing we ought to imitate in Jesus is his living and obedient relationship to the Father. Jesus receives all that he is from the Father. He shares the authority and power that are his with those who follow him.

He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons

The power we receive from Jesus is how we address the problem of sin and suffering in the world. He sets the example and gives us the power. But it begins, as the passage says, "with him". He appoints the Twelve first and foremost "that they might be with him" and this is also why he calls us.

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.