Sometimes we get too immersed in details to appreciate the beauty and wonder of things. It reminds me of the story of several blinded folded people who inspected an elephant by only touching the part they were closest to. The one who grabbed the tail told the others he had found a rope. The one felt the ear said he was touching a leaf on a banana tree. One person closest to a leg said he had found a huge tree. One of them felt the elephant's side and believed he was touching a massive wall. And, the one who grasped the trunk thought he was holding a python. Only when we're able to step back and open our eyes, are we able to see the whole picture.
I believe the same is true of God. While we may never be able to completely understand and view God, we do get a better grasp of who God is by attempting to know God from many angles. Our belief in the Trinity is part of that trying to know God from at least three different angles.
It is obvious that the more we learn from scientific exploration of the universe, the Earth, and even the human person, the more mysterious and wonderful God's creation becomes. I am really looking forward to reading Pope Francis' upcoming encyclical on being better stewards of the the world that God has given us. It's all about respecting human life, you know. Sometimes we limit our minds to thinking that "respect life" refers solely to protecting the unborn. That is extremely important, but all human life is given a Divine dignity. And, all that adds to and benefits human life (like clean air, water and safe healthy food) is also precious. The more we treat all folks like they are made in God's image and likeness, the better we and God's universe will be.
It is humbling still to realize that God shared our human life in the person of Jesus. God had aches and pains. He laughed with friends, family and children. He cried when He lost people He loved. Jesus got angry at people abusing other people. He was passionate about loving in accepting and self giving ways. He is the prototype for our humanity. By getting to know Jesus through Scripture, prayer and the Eucharist we learn to live our lives in Godly ways. He also shows us in His Sacrifice on the Cross that there is no mistake, no sin, nothing that will keep God from loving us. God goes to the most unimaginable extremes to save us and draw us into His love.
The Holy Spirit inspires us still. Every time we get an urge to think about God or anything beyond our selves, that is the Holy Spirit loving us. The Spirit moves us to reach out a hand in friendship or aid. The Spirit bids us to commit our lives to another (or a whole world or Church full of others) for life. The Holy Spirit is depicted as wind and fire often because the Spirit is the wind in our sails to propel toward God and others, and gets us fired up in order to live helpfully, lovingly, and boldly for God.
When we step back and see how God is working in all of the world and in our lives we begin to get a glimpse of the immensity of God. This week, maybe today, take a look at big our God is and how much our God loves you.
peace,
Fr. Chuck
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