Daily Retreat 10/01/07
2007 Oct 1 Mon: Thérèse of Lisieux, v, r, dr M
Zec 8: 1-8/ Ps 101(102): 16-18. 19-21. 29 and 22-23/ Lk 9: 46-50
From today’s readings: “I am intensely jealous for Zion.... The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all His glory.... Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me....”
God’s Jealousy
We tend to see jealousy as something sinful by definition, and yet that assumption is disproved by the scripture passages that affirm that God, who is All Good and even incapable of sin, is jealous Himself. Jealousy can indeed be sinful, but it also can be neutral or even virtuous. My dictionary defines “jealous” as meaning “fearful of loss of position or affection; positively watchful and vigilant.”
God certainly takes pains to prevent loss of our recognition of His position (as our God!) and loss of our affection. So, God’s jealousy is understandably ignited whenever we pretend that something or someone is more important to us than God, or whenever we inordinately love something or someone in the created order, instead of reserving our highest love for our Creator.
God is likewise “positively watchful and vigilant” in His solicitude for us. The whole of salvation history is the eloquent proof that God is certainly looking out for us, and doing everything He can, to the point of sending His beloved Son to die for us....
The opposite of jealousy is indifference, and God certainly can not in any way be accused of that! But, do you and I always burn with a jealous love for God, or are we too often content with virtual indifference? In this, as in all things, we need to imitate God and His jealous love!
Zec 8: 1-8/ Ps 101(102): 16-18. 19-21. 29 and 22-23/ Lk 9: 46-50
From today’s readings: “I am intensely jealous for Zion.... The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all His glory.... Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me....”
God’s Jealousy
We tend to see jealousy as something sinful by definition, and yet that assumption is disproved by the scripture passages that affirm that God, who is All Good and even incapable of sin, is jealous Himself. Jealousy can indeed be sinful, but it also can be neutral or even virtuous. My dictionary defines “jealous” as meaning “fearful of loss of position or affection; positively watchful and vigilant.”
God certainly takes pains to prevent loss of our recognition of His position (as our God!) and loss of our affection. So, God’s jealousy is understandably ignited whenever we pretend that something or someone is more important to us than God, or whenever we inordinately love something or someone in the created order, instead of reserving our highest love for our Creator.
God is likewise “positively watchful and vigilant” in His solicitude for us. The whole of salvation history is the eloquent proof that God is certainly looking out for us, and doing everything He can, to the point of sending His beloved Son to die for us....
The opposite of jealousy is indifference, and God certainly can not in any way be accused of that! But, do you and I always burn with a jealous love for God, or are we too often content with virtual indifference? In this, as in all things, we need to imitate God and His jealous love!
posted by FrPitstick | 9/30/2007
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