What Can I Expect from God?

Recently, during a homily, a visiting priest posed the above titled question to our congregation. Rather than focusing on the readings of the day, or the season of Lent, we were challenged to be specific as to what we perceived to be God’s role in our lives. It was refreshing to move the emphasis away from what is expected from us and turn toward God during our time in the Lenten desert.
 
Three things came to mind that are by no means exhaustive, but worth sharing. My personal list is as follows:
 
1)    I expect God to love me unconditionally through Christ.
2)    I expect God to forgive me unconditionally through Christ.
3)    I expect God to always be with me through Christ.
 
The following quotes from scripture pertain to my list:
 
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
 
“Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Mt 18:21-22)
 
“Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:16-20)
 
Let us pray for the grace to pray for the abundant life in Christ that we are promised as sons and daughters of God this Lent.