The Scriptures and Church tradition use many images to describe God, reflecting His infinite nature of love. Similarly, various images depict the people of God whom God has drawn to Himself throughout salvation history.
Prophet Hosea paints another beautiful metaphor of God as a parent to a wayward child. Hosea speaks of God's love for Israel: "I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms and fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; I stooped to feed my child."
In the year 2018, the school where I worked suffered the loss of a 6-year-old child. He was with his family on a picnic and was playing inside the car while his family was outside the vehicle gathering things to return. That's when they believe the kid accidentally released the brakes of the vehicle, and it ran down the slope and drowned in the deep waters of a lake. The event sent a shockwave of trauma throughout the school and community around. I still think of the mother who would visit the school months later, enquiring about this child, who she thinks is still studying in the school.
I think of parents today. I think of the anguish and misery a parent feels when a child is lost. I also ponder the pain experienced by parents when they see their children turning away and making choices that are harmful and self-destructive. The heartache that tears apart a parent's heart as they witness their child spiral into self-destruction is truly agonizing. I think of God's Heart. Unfortunately, not all whom we love in life are grateful for the sacrifices we make for them. Not all respond with gratitude.
Being Grateful
What would our reaction be if we were in that position – where not just with our loved ones, but our friends, colleagues, and all those we have helped in life turn out to be ingrates? We might want to stop supporting them. Some of us might even want to cut them off completely. We could feel angry and want nothing to do with them, at least for a while. With those who are not directly related to us, we can easily detach ourselves from them.
But if they are our children and loved ones, sometimes we have no choice but to bear the pain of seeing them waste away their lives, living irresponsibly. The most we can do is to prevent them from wasting our resources. But it is difficult to stop loving them because we have emotional ties with blood members of our family. We'll keep loving them and hope they come to appreciate what they have and use their resources well for personal growth, well-being, and to serve others.
Power of Unconditional Love
When we have unconditional love, there is always hope. This is why faith, hope, and charity always go together. When we give up hope, we will give up faith and charity. We will stop loving. Our hope for them keeps us loving them, even if we must endure long suffering for love's sake.
Prophet Hosea tells us that God's love remained unconditional and hopeful despite His people's ingratitude and poor choices. How can we do that? Can we reflect a bit of God's heart to them?
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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