
“In the Father’s presence” Finger Painting by: Ronald Raab,CSC 2020
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Gospel JN 8:31-42
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
Image of the Father, Our Creator God: In this simple finger painting, we view the Father’s hold on the earth, His care for us. Jesus invites us to recognize the truth of his presence coming from the creating love of The Father. We are called into this relationship through our baptism. The Father not only holds the world in his hand, but holds every human person in his hand. The Father is the source of mercy, love and beauty. We belong. We are united in Him. We listen carefully to his voice and we live the message of his creating love through our actions in the world. This is the essence of this painting. Even the smallest stroke of my thumb, invites us into the love that the Father offers us. Our lives are not about ourselves, but living the mystery of our connection to the Trinity. This is the truth. This truth will set us free. Gaze upon this image and know the Father’s love for you.
Thank you for the painting. I long to stand before Him and feel His Love. It is what keeps us going every day. Blessings.