Reflection - Position Open

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072421.cfm
Exodus 24:3-8
Matthew 13:24-30

Do I need a new God?

What do I expect of the God I’ve got?

If I had to list the characteristics of my ideal ‘God,’ what would they be?

First off, I think I would want a God who could not be manipulated. After all, if my God was subject to outside influence, I might be ‘out-offered’ by the next one presenting sacrifice.

Also, my God would have to be interested in me. If he were not interested in me, then whatever attentions I received from him would be unreliable and haphazard. But that also means that my God must be understanding and forgiving, because, if he’s not, my doom is certifiably guaranteed.

Then too, my God must be persistent, not abandoning me when my failures and weaknesses show up. (This is sort of obvious as failures and weaknesses seem to be my lot.)

Now some may prefer the Jinnie type of God — the kind that lives in a bottle. But Jin’s are notorious for twisting desires into the undesirable; so I would want my God to be true to my best intentions.

Finally, my God must be powerful, able to protect me from enemies and also from harm, from disease and from the evils that infest the world.

Oh, yes! One more thing. My ideal God must be willing to engage with me on a personal level in a loving way.

This is my short list.

The revelation of God that had begun with Abraham was not one that originated with man. Neither was God located through the advertised qualifications for an acceptable God. It was God himself who took the initiative.

Man did not expose. God revealed. This revelation took a dramatic step forward with the events that took place in Egypt as the presence and power of Abraham’s God was made known to all. With the establishment of the Covenant at Sinai, that revelation reached a new plateau, one which changed the very nature of the relationship. While previous interactions had revealed the many desirable characteristics of the one who was auditioning to be mankind’s God, Sinai would demonstrate God’s desire for an even more intimate relationship.

So, if God was ready, willing and able to demonstrate his qualifications for the role of God, how was this mob to demonstrate their qualifications for the role of The Chosen People?

They tried for a simple response: “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Unfortunately, words were not enough. While God regularly and consistently followed through, confirming his potential at tryouts, the same could not be said for the other party.

As was previously noted: it was God who revealed God, not some respondent to a newspaper advertisement. It is sometimes overlooked, however, that it was also God who revealed who were the Chosen People. Their part was described in detail; and their necessary characteristics were completely outlined, not subject to player modifications. 

So, instead of asking ‘Do I need a new God?’ Maybe I should be asking ‘Does God need a new people?’