What is God seeking from us?

What is God seeking from us?

We could easily respond with multiple ideas as to how much development has occurred in the efforts of establishing new ministries in third world countries.  Or the further pronouncement of more theological premises regarding church law.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church is one giant leap forward placing dogmas and traditions in an easy to read and comprehend the original teaching of Christ.  

But God is looking for something much more profound than volumes of printed material from libraries in the Vatican, or even many letters from saints and doctors of the Church.    When St. Paul wrote 13 epistles he opened the secrets of who and what the life of Christ was all about.  In Spite of the many tragedies he suffered, emulating the very path Jesus walked, he portrayed the same journey of sacrifice we are called to as well.  Paul’s different obstacles he endured didn’t match that of Christ, or did they?  He never took credit for his challenge to get the word out, but placed himself at the hands of the same enemies we face today.   He was beheaded. 

With all the many hours authors and composers spend bringing the written word or music for all to learn from they fall short of the perfection needed for future aspirants to grow on.  As necessary scripts and melodious sounds are written for future authors and composers to begin their own place in spreading God’s word, our passing gifts need to be continued in the kingdom Christ established.  So with all this in mind just what is it that God is seeking from us if not what we’ve already produced?  

Augustine mentioned that Jesus appeared to him asking for something he had.  The saintly doctor elated that the Lord would come to him and ask for what?  Thinking he had produced many books and decrees as a bishop he began bringing all he had and presented all this to Jesus.  No!  Jesus exclaimed.  I don’t want these;  I want your sins.  Somehow this correlates with all of us.  Jesus died for our sins on the Cross at Calvary.  However, as weak humans, we still fall seven times as the book of Proverbs states;  “For the just man falls seven times and rises again.”  (Prv 24: 16).

We still fall back from time to time, not by evil corruption, but because the flesh is weak.  “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  (Mt 26: 41). 

It isn't condemnation that Christ confronted Augustine with, nor is it also the same for us.  But even small slips or simple side-steps from grace can at times become nuances that may turn into nails that seem to pin us to a board with overt thoughts that appear to be too little to take notice of.  

The Incarnation was not to condemn anyone, but to redeem us from sin.  Sin will always be the one idol against God since all sin becomes an idol in place of God.  Therefore, we don’t need to directly avoid idols of wealth, status, or pride to keep safe from the first Commandment.  Any directly committed sin does the same thing.  This is what God seeks from us! 

Ralph B. Hathaway