What is God calling you to do now? What is your answer? - Daily Reflections March 25,2014

THE COURTEOUS HOUND OF HEAVEN

 

Religion, they say, is man’s search for God. But the God of the Bible is different. Christianity has a radical proposal. The Christian God is the God who searches for man. He longs for him. His is the initiative. The biblical God is a God who pursues.

       In the words of the English poet Francis Thompson, “God is the Hound of Heaven” (a hound is a breed of dog with a strong sense of smell, relentless in its pursuit of subjects). If the image of God as a hound in pursuit is scandalizing, what is more disconcerting is the courtesy of God in His pursuit. He is God. He doesn’t need to ask. He can just demand attendance and presence in His banquet. But no. He invites, He asks, He proposes. He risks the embarrassment of rejection.

       Today is the feast of the Lord’s Annunciation. The Fathers of the Church have long seen this scene in Luke’s Gospel as God making a proposal to Mary to become the spouse of the Spirit, and Mary giving her free yes, her fiat, to that proposal.

       I remember being in a plane bound to Davao for a talk. During the flight, a Korean approached the flight attendant, asked for the microphone, and proposed marriage to his girlfriend. The guy said to the girl, “I have something to ask you and you’re free to choose from the four possible answers. You can say ‘yes,’ ‘of course,’ ‘why not?’ or ‘absolutely’.” So much for freedom, huh? The choices left no room for the possibility of rejection.

       Why did God take the risk of rejection? Because that is the way of genuine love. If we were created in a way that we cannot say no to God, then in the same measure, our yes to Him is of no value. God, the courteous hound of heaven, longs for our free and genuine yes.

       May Mary’s yes to God be our own. May that free invitation and gracious response at the scene of the Annunciation be repeated over and over again in human history. Mama Mary, pray for us! Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is God calling you to do now? What is your answer?

 

I say yes to You, Lord. May Your will be done in my life. May I follow Mama Mary’s example of faithful obedience to Your call.