“Living as God’s Image” by Beth DeCristofaro
God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: … For your own lifeblood, too, I will demand an accounting: from every animal, I will demand it, and from one man in regard to his fellow man I will demand an accounting for human life. If anyone sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; For in the image of God has man been made. (Genesis 9:1, 5-6)
Peter took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him. At this, he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Mark 8:32-32)
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Mark 8:32-32)
Piety
By God's grace, I was born to live in freedom,
free to enjoy the pleasures He created for me.
Dear Lord, grant that I may live as you intended,
with complete confidence in your loving care.
free to enjoy the pleasures He created for me.
Dear Lord, grant that I may live as you intended,
with complete confidence in your loving care.
(www.sacredspace.ie)
Study
Thinking like a human! And yet, God created us human, in his image. An illustration from comics, the angel on one shoulder advising caution to a person and the devil on the other shoulder taunting toward sinful behaviors comes to mind. Except that God doesn’t tell us that our human nature is evil. God knows it is limited and focused in the wrong place: survival. Of course, no longer living in caves, our human brain expands survival to include creature comforts, fitting in, getting one’s way, being first whether in line in traffic or in the board room, dominance, prominence and more.
What holds us back? Peter witnesses to Jesus as God. Peter also believes that he wants to protect Jesus – protect him from harm but also, conceivably, from an image of the Messiah that doesn’t fit Peter’s imagination. Peter wants Jesus to conform to his desire for redemption. Peter, is us, resisting God’s will for us. It takes awareness, desire, constant practicing to renounce myself and allow myself to go with Jesus in his grace.
Action
We can start by being aware of others, welcoming of others and their demands on us. Gratitude for those demands, gratitude that God gives us the opportunities to model God’s image and see God through others – renouncing the irritation or judgment that might stir in us. Today, say a prayer for every person who imposes on you and say a prayer of direction for yourself.
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