23 July: Invited to friendship with God
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” (Dt.4,7)
Despite all our discussions and experience of God’s distance, the Bible holds fast to the fact that God is near.
Against an institutionally mediated experience of unworthiness, even worthlessness, Jesus points to God’s interest in each one of his beloved creatures.
This is the image of friendship, the parable of a familiar conversation.
“O my Lord how liberal are you and how rich are they to whom you will vouchsafe to be a friend!”
Mary Ward: Retreat 1616
“The conversation takes place through actual speaking, just as one friend speaks to another.”
St. Ignatius: Spiritual Exercises, No. 54
We pray:
- That we will always open ourselves anew to God’s friendship.
- For children and young people: that they might find people to accompany them in their search for God.
