April 11, 2009

Humility and the Father's Love

Image of Our Lord on His Cross. The Shrine of Monte Cassino, St. Meinrad IN

Why did my Father give you power over me
Because he wanted me to get very close to you
to show you the depths of his love for you
not the distant love of a God
who sits on a throne in his heaven
and looks down on you on the earth

but the love of a Father
who longs to help you
to carry your burdens
to comfort and heal you
to give you every good gift
He wants to come to your homes
and to sit with you at your meals
as one of the family
He wants to walk with you
as a beloved friend
He could not do that himself
and so he sent me
His only Son
to make His love known to you

I could take on your weakness
and then act out my Father's name
which is Love
Can you truly imagine the love of God
Can you understand the depth
of your Father's love for you?

The Father sent me to
show you His love
and to act it out among you
to give you an example to copy
I am the image of your unseen Father
In my life
and particularly in my passion
I showed you the depths
to which love must be prepared to go
There is no room for fear in love
no room for shame
no excuses
no holidays
Love offers everything
and expects no return

You cannot bear the unveiled love of God
It falls like fire upon you
and you are consumed and burnt up in its heat
you are not ready yet to be refined
and purified by the naked flame
of your Father's love for you
and so it has to be filtered
mediated to you through my flesh

Richard Hobbs
"Fifteen Mysteries in the Life of Jesus"
St Paul Press

Labels: Catholic, Faith, IN, Poem