Apostleship of Prayer Spirituality
 
 

    Operational images of God

The second operational image of God is exactly the opposite of the first.  It runs like this: 'If God loves me so much, why does he treat me like this? Why, for example, does he send me this suffering?' In other words, we only have a relationship if God meets our expectations.  How do I know whether this is my operational image of God?  Again, I look at my relationships with people.  Do I manipulate them in subtle ways, saying to them, 'If you were really my friend, surely you'd do what I ask', or 'After all I've done for you, how could you treat me like this?' In a word, do I think I only have a good relationship with people if they meet my expectations?  Such a manipulative image leaves very little room for freedom in relationships.

(to be continued)

Patrick O'Sullivan, SJ

 

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