2nd Sunday after Easter 15.4.18 Fully known
We might worry about personal data being spread abroad in
the internet age. We do not trust what others might do with our personal
information.
But long before the Internet there was someone who knew all
our history, in far more detail than any computer could record it.
It was God Himself, God the Son, the Good Shepherd: I know My sheep, and Mine know me
(today’s Gospel).
When Adam committed the original sin, he hid behind a bush
trying to escape God’s sight! (Gn 3,8). Ps 138 (139) reflects that if one were
to seek the highest mountain or the deepest part of the sea, God would still be
there. There is no place outside the range of His knowledge or interest.
We cannot escape his gaze, but, but then on reflection why should
we want to? It is much better for us that He is there. He offers us His friendship,
desiring to help, to heal, to save.
Many think the universe a cold dark place. It would be
indeed without God. As it is we can find Him, as He seeks to find us. We need
not be afraid of being known (by Him). Then
we shall know as we are known (1 Co 13,12).
We play games trying to look good for other people,
pandering to human approval, missing the main point by a long way.
Instead we could be developing a personal interaction with
the Good Shepherd. The ‘sheep’ have no better option than infinite perfection!
Many do not want God to come close. They fear Him (in the
wrong sense); they do not want their individual liberty curtailed. They dislike
any mention of religion. Yet was I sore adread Lest, having Him, I must have naught
beside.(Hound of Heaven)
But we have to come to terms with Him eventually, even if it
be our final judgment.
We can all feel vexed at times, feeling very negative with
life, but we know this is not the final state of things. Our Christian hope
enables us to see a much better ending, than whatever we may feel at any given
point.
It is best to get in the groove immediately. If we are to be
sheep let us play the part, and seek out the Shepherd, save Him the trouble of
having to pull us out of some pit or other.
No more tantrums with life. Why was I born? I never asked
for it! Maybe not, but we can make it worthwhile with a little humility and
patience.
We have a choice in one sense: we do not have to accept
God’s mercy and grace; He will not force us.
In another sense there is no choice, as the alternative to
dealing with God is one long exercise of self-destruction. It come to Heaven or
Hell, which would you rather have?
We are like fish, resigning ourselves to swimming in the
ocean because we know no other place.
God is not an oppressive authority. He is a lavish giver,
and wants to pour out His goodness on us.
He knows His sheep, even the stubbornness and the particular
kind of resistance each person puts up.
He will seek to wear that down, without forcing. We do not
have to give up our will to follow Him; only put that will into union with His.
We can choose differently at any time, but we will never want to do that.
His sheep know Him? Not very well, so far! We have a long climb
out of mistaken notions. We have been hiding like Adam for too long.
If only people would come out of their hiding places, they
would be much happier, and so would the world.
May the Good Shepherd continue to be patient with us, but
let us not tax that patience.
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