John 16:12-15
In our analytical world we want to find an explanation for everything. Nothing wrong with seeking knowledge. However, we will never be able to explain the Holy Trinity—the Mystery of who God is: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We can explain the sun, the moon and the earth. We can explain the how the movement of the earth around the sun affects all life on our planet. However we cannot explain the power that holds the sun and the planets in place. Of all God’s creatures, humans are supposedly most intelligent—questionable when some of us get outsmarted by our pets—or because of the fact that we still make war—we continue to murder unborn babies. We are supposed to be intelligent because we are made in the image and likeness of God. Took thousands of years before nomadic tribes, gathered around camp fires, gazing up at the stars at night, could conclude: “We’re not so bad—but there must be someone bigger than we are—a power who existed before us. Such a Being deserves our respect, our devotion, our worship. We cannot just give Him a name, so we will call Him the God who’s name is unpronounceable. “I Am Who I Am.” Yahweh, Eloahim, Adoni, Jehovah, Hashem, the God of Israel, The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, The God of Jacob.” Our words will always fall short of the mystery of who God is. In the Hebrew Scriptures God was seen as far away on the holy mountain. The One who spoke from the burning bush and only showed Moses His back. God got angry, got involved in battles, took vengeance on the enemies of His people. Folks believed that if they did good, God would reward them and if they did evil, God would punish them. The Law and obedience to the Law was more important than the needs of people. Human consciousness was at a different level before Jesus Christ came.
Jesus came to revel an entirely new image. Indeed many were shocked when Jesus associated with untouchables, forgave those who were obviously guilty and referred to God as “Abba” Father. We can picture the staunch Jewish believers walking away when they heard His radical message. Difficult to un-teach centuries of religion. Yet, we are here because the message of freedom was believed, at least by a few. Small communities had to hide in order to practice what Jesus had taught. Countless lost their lives for believing in the message.
Even today there is a resistance to the Gospel. When we say, Our Father—do we really believe that God loves us like a Father? Are some of us more inclined to believe that God is keeping track of our sins? We celebrate Father’s Day and are grateful for the life, example and fidelity of our fathers. However, God invented fathers, like He invented mothers. God’s love is without conditions. Jesus is the perfect revelation of who God is and when we see Him, we see the Father. The Holy Spirit gives us life, sustains us, blows upon whole world so that we will not loose hope. We do not have to have all the answers, right theology, and walk around like we swallowed the Paschal candle in order to say that we believe in the Holy Trinity. Our faith in God is not measure by information but by transformation. That’s the measurement that Jesus looked for in the believers. A true profession of faith is not made by words, but by actions. God loves us in spite of our sins. We want to try to imitate His love. One of the ways we come close is when we are willing to forgive, especially those who have hurt us deeply. The reflection of God’s love can best be lived in the family, since the family is God’s first idea. Father—Dads we look to you—to continue being the priests of your family. Lead by example. Be men of prayer and the first to bend your knees before the Lord.
God’s love for us will never diminish. May the Lord find and open door in our hearts.
In our analytical world we want to find an explanation for everything. Nothing wrong with seeking knowledge. However, we will never be able to explain the Holy Trinity—the Mystery of who God is: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We can explain the sun, the moon and the earth. We can explain the how the movement of the earth around the sun affects all life on our planet. However we cannot explain the power that holds the sun and the planets in place. Of all God’s creatures, humans are supposedly most intelligent—questionable when some of us get outsmarted by our pets—or because of the fact that we still make war—we continue to murder unborn babies. We are supposed to be intelligent because we are made in the image and likeness of God. Took thousands of years before nomadic tribes, gathered around camp fires, gazing up at the stars at night, could conclude: “We’re not so bad—but there must be someone bigger than we are—a power who existed before us. Such a Being deserves our respect, our devotion, our worship. We cannot just give Him a name, so we will call Him the God who’s name is unpronounceable. “I Am Who I Am.” Yahweh, Eloahim, Adoni, Jehovah, Hashem, the God of Israel, The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, The God of Jacob.” Our words will always fall short of the mystery of who God is. In the Hebrew Scriptures God was seen as far away on the holy mountain. The One who spoke from the burning bush and only showed Moses His back. God got angry, got involved in battles, took vengeance on the enemies of His people. Folks believed that if they did good, God would reward them and if they did evil, God would punish them. The Law and obedience to the Law was more important than the needs of people. Human consciousness was at a different level before Jesus Christ came.
Jesus came to revel an entirely new image. Indeed many were shocked when Jesus associated with untouchables, forgave those who were obviously guilty and referred to God as “Abba” Father. We can picture the staunch Jewish believers walking away when they heard His radical message. Difficult to un-teach centuries of religion. Yet, we are here because the message of freedom was believed, at least by a few. Small communities had to hide in order to practice what Jesus had taught. Countless lost their lives for believing in the message.
Even today there is a resistance to the Gospel. When we say, Our Father—do we really believe that God loves us like a Father? Are some of us more inclined to believe that God is keeping track of our sins? We celebrate Father’s Day and are grateful for the life, example and fidelity of our fathers. However, God invented fathers, like He invented mothers. God’s love is without conditions. Jesus is the perfect revelation of who God is and when we see Him, we see the Father. The Holy Spirit gives us life, sustains us, blows upon whole world so that we will not loose hope. We do not have to have all the answers, right theology, and walk around like we swallowed the Paschal candle in order to say that we believe in the Holy Trinity. Our faith in God is not measure by information but by transformation. That’s the measurement that Jesus looked for in the believers. A true profession of faith is not made by words, but by actions. God loves us in spite of our sins. We want to try to imitate His love. One of the ways we come close is when we are willing to forgive, especially those who have hurt us deeply. The reflection of God’s love can best be lived in the family, since the family is God’s first idea. Father—Dads we look to you—to continue being the priests of your family. Lead by example. Be men of prayer and the first to bend your knees before the Lord.
God’s love for us will never diminish. May the Lord find and open door in our hearts.
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