Drawing close to God

Matthew 8 : 1 - 4

......a leper came to him and knelt before him....

We read that it is indeed a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, the God Almighty......and so it is....for God's holiness must surely illuminate and reveal every little impurity in our lives. Would it be easy for you and me therefore to come close to God? Or is it better to stay a safe distance from him, even while acknowledging that he is Lord? I'm afraid many Christians settle for a life in which God is there - but often at a reasonably safe distance. This is fine if it is all that God has deemed for his beloved creatures.

But it is not so at all. Throughout his 'love letter', his Word, there are many, many indications that God calls us to a life of loving attentiveness and intimacy with him. There are so many riches to be found in learning to receive God's loving invitation to 'draw closer'. At the same time, there are many hindrances: our sense of shame and guilt (I am too 'bad'), our poor self worth (I am so unworthy), our incredulity at his immense love for us (It's too good and can't be true). The amazing thing is that God came to us in Christ, incarnate, that we could learn to relate to him in a holy and yet much more personal way.

The leper in Jesus' day really had nowhere to turn. He would have been warded off by everyone, or even stoned if he dared to approach others, especially a rabbi. He saw in Jesus someone whom he could turn to, without fear, without shame, someone who could and would do the best for him. So he did something quite remarkable: he approached Jesus humbly and confidently. His miserable condition did not keep him away from Jesus. In great need, and with much trust, he drew close to God. And God's love, compassion and tender mercy reached out through Jesus' physical touch.

There are times when we allow hindrances like those above to keep us away from God. But the gospel stories keep reminding us that God is inviting the untouchables, the unworthy, the lonely.......to himself. Can we 'hear' his loving call? Will we respond with eagerness and trust, whatever our condition?

"May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love." (Prayer of St Francis of Assisi)