“THE FAITHFUL GOD’S INITIATIVE OF LOVE …”

by Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS

“In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first;

our own first step is always a response” (Catechism #2567)

We have reflected on prayer as a relationship … “a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God” (Catechism #2558). But to form a relationship, someone has to initiate the process of two people coming to know each other. In the relationship that is prayer, that someone is “the faithful God.”

Why would the all-powerful and all-knowing God want to form a relationship with me? There is only one answer – he loves me. He loves me so much that he takes “the initiative of love,” inviting me into a relationship of love with him.

When I “intuit” that someone is interested in me, seems to like me, I look at that person in a new way. I know that there is a possibility of the development of a closer relationship, perhaps even a relationship of love. I reflect – responding negatively if the other’s values and approach to life are in conflict with mine; positively when I discover a deep kinship between us. The all-powerful God approaches me in this way, offering me that deep kinship, waiting for my response. And however hesitant, however unsure my first response may be, he picks up on it, gently leading me from level to level of growth in union with him.

When Jesus came to earth, He was “the refulgence of the Father’s glory, the very imprint of his being,” Hebrews 1:3 tells us. So he modeled for us in a human way all that the Triune God wishes to teach us. When therefore he wanted to show me how God invites me into the relationship of love that is prayer, he acted this out through his approach to the woman at the well. He took the initiative, asking her for that simplest of gifts – a drink of water (Jn. 4:7). Step by step, he led her to a new level, talking about living water (v.10), until she was moved to ask for this living water (v. 15). The woman was praying deeply the prayer of petition although she did not realize it. Jesus then gently explored her personal life (vv. 16-18) and her life of worship (vv. 20-24), until at last she was ready to receive his revelation that he was the Messiah (vv. 25-26). And set on fire with this new relationship, the woman went out and converted a whole village while Jesus sat by the well and waited (vv. 29, 39).

It is sad, then, if we reduce the God of love to a kind of Santa Claus who will give us what we need when we ask for it. God will give us what we need, but he wants our life of prayer to be so much more than “Gimme, gimme, gimme.” He approaches us with open hands saying, “Please love me,” and he knows as we know that the only adequate response to love is love. Let us give him the response of love. Then “all these things shall be given us besides” (cf. Mt. 6:33).

For reflection and prayer:

1. How have I experienced of being led by God from level to level in my relationship with him? When am I most open to listening and responding to him? What blocks do I sometimes place to growth in my relationship with him? Pray with John 4:4 – 42.

2. When have I had the experience of really trying to give God first place in my life, then discovering that I receive from him everything that I need? Pray with Mt. 6:25-33.