God Finds Delight in Our Gift of Free Will.
From the Sunday and daily Scripture readings, listening to homilies, and praying daily, Christians have a good idea of who God is. With the appearance of Jesus Christ, “the word made flesh,” we have a well-defined image.
God is loving, faithful, merciful, compassionate, forgiving, and generous. God has many more qualities that also properly fit God, which believers experience on their personal journeys, like care and concern.
The difficulties arise when disciples try to force God into a set design of their own making. For instance, God’s mercy cannot be held to one framework. As Isaiah preaches, “…the limitless mercy of God defies any form of human boundaries.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. The gospels show that when a measurement applied to normal human activity is applied to God, both act on a strikingly different playing field.
This comparison leaves humans puzzled and confused. Isaiah responds to this puzzlement with these words, “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways.” That sounds like the correct answer.
In the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic, someone stopped me and said, “God should never have given free will to Adam and Eve, especially when God knew they would make the wrong choices.” Looking at me, he continued, “Why did God do it?” Not pretending to know God’s mind and heart I said, “Well God made us for love, and when we love another, we trust them to love back.” Hesitating, I added, “God also wanted them to be active participants in his creation and make a free choice to love back. God’s true love always includes trust.” He shook his head unconvinced and walked away, much like some disciples did after listening to Jesus.
God has a wider horizon, a more perfect vision to see things that we do not see. Through this mirror, God’s goodness far overshadows any other quality. Hearing this, all creation should heave a big sigh of relief. For although baptized, we still wear Adam and Eve’s weakened humanity.
St. Paul, during his ministry, shows us the kind of trusting response Jesus is seeking. St. Paul often mentions that he is willing to live or die for Christ. If he died now, he would be with Christ soon. If not, he would continue his task on behalf of Christ. Either path for Paul is blessed. This is the challenge for all believers: to trust and live God’s will always. That is the kind of free will choice Jesus likes to see his Father’s creation make. And when we do, God smiles and is delighted with free will.
“Pray to be ever ready for God’s will even when it takes you by surprise.”
-Saint Mary MacKillop, The First Australian Saint
