A childish view of God

Some people cling to ways of understanding their faith learned in their childhood. They embrace a childhood notion of a God who will never let anything bad happen and when tragedies strike they abandon God.

 In today's reading, we encounter the words of Christ that tell about persecutions, imprisonment, trials, and death. We are familiar with the accounts of persecution from the early church. In many countries today, people are being displaced, arrested, tortured, and even executed because of their faith in Jesus. For many of us, however, persecution is a far-off reality. Yet God never promises to give his followers a life that is free from problems. What God promises is that we will not face those persecutions alone. Jesus who experienced the worst kind of suffering and death will be right by our side.

 Although persecution and death may come, God is in control, and the ultimate outcome will be the eternal victory. "Not a hair of your head will perish" This cannot refer to physical safety. It indicates that there will be no real—i.e., spiritual and eternal—loss.

 Don't get stuck in a childish view of God. Let us learn as adults to relate to God in an adult way.
Yours,
Fr. Nareg
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 35:4-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:6; Luke 21:12-19

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