Divine Acceptance

By Fr.Gus Carter

12/ 10/ 06

At the root of all human development, modem psychologists tell us, is "basic trust." The dependency of an infant on the mother is complete. The offered acceptance of the child by the mother allows the child to develop trust in the mother, trust in the environment, and trust in him or herself. Gradually, thanks to the mother, the child is able to recognize the world as a basically reliable world. The cases of children of dope-addicted mothers proves how difficult life is for those without basic trust. I like the saying, "If you have any sanity at all, thank your mother.'

One of the sad things in the past was that parents and people in charge of children used God as the enforcer to get children to do what was right. The general saying was, "If you are bad, God will punish you." Many individuals grew up with the idea of God as a kind of "cop." God is

always watching you to catch you doing something wrong." A fearsome God was hard to pray to in a personal way. Humans had to earn God's love for them.

Modem Catholic theology believes that through humans, God communicates divine acceptance of all humans. I have met two people who told me of their horrendous childhoods. They said that they had direct experiences of God's care for them. Otherwise, it is the attention of care-givers who become instruments of God's personal love for us. Catholic theologians in our times would say that Jesus is the parable of God's acceptance of humans. I often quote Jesus words, "He who sees me, sees the Father." Jesus' human experience of God teaches us a human way to know God. At his Baptism and Transfiguration Jesus heard the Father say, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Jesus from his own experience taught us to call God, "Abba." This was the endearing word used in the home to address one's father. Through this expression Jesus invited us to intimacy with God who surely loves us.

Jesus came into the world to demonstrate divine love for humans. What he received he was able to communicate to others. Jesus was accused of eating with tax collectors and sinners. Society in Jesus' time considered eating with someone as an invitation to intimacy and a sign of acceptance. His actions scandalized the religious establishment of his time. In the Gospel we read of Jesus accepting the woman taken in adultery. Lepers were outcasts of their time. Jesus spoke to them and set them free from the disease that made them outsiders. The apostles were annoyed that people brought children to Jesus. He tells them to let the children come. Zachaeus, the tax collector just wanted to see Jesus. Jesus invited himself to dinner at Zachaeus house. The good thief only wanted to be remembered by Jesus. He was promised eternal life.

Through human experience of acceptance, God communicates divine acceptance of humankind. Through human words and gestures of acceptance, God's acceptance reaches down into people and invites them to receive the divine gifts the Lord offers. We are invited to share divine life in the present and offered eternal life in the future. The more we trust that "All things work for the good of those who love God," the more deeply we come to believe in the Lord's presence for our good. By trusting in the Lord's help, we are able to reform our lives after the heart of Jesus. We come to know with greater certainty that we will receive the help we need.

Human pride wants to make us feel that we are better then others. To boost ourselves we disdain acceptance of others.