Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

How Is Your Relationship?

Most of us have been involved in a variety of relationships in our lives: with a spouse, parents, children, teachers, bosses, co-workers, a significant other. We are in those relationships for lots of different reasons – to learn, to make money, because we are born into them, because of love. But what about our relationship with God? Why do we have a relationship with God?

In the Gospel, today we see that the people are chasing after Jesus. They are working so hard to find him, that they are willing to sail across the Sea of Galilee. At first blush, this would seem like a good thing – that the people are seeking Jesus. But as we see in the Gospel today, they are only chasing after Jesus for another meal. They are driven by their bellies, not their hearts.

Sometimes our relationship with God can be like that. We ask God to give us things – more money, a better job, help to pass a test. We can sometimes think of God like he is a genie that grants wishes. Now I am not suggesting that we should not present our needs to God, but we always need to remember that when we do, God will only give us what is best for us, not necessarily what we want.

In the first reading today, we hear about the struggles of the Israelites in the desert. They have been freed from slavery but now they are hungry and they actually wish they were still slaves! They figure it would be better to be fed as a slave than be free but starving. They blame Moses, and therefore God for their plight.

Sometimes we can do that in our relationship with God. When things do not go the way we want or expect them to, we ask God why? Why God are you doing this to me? Why are you making me suffer? We forget the words of the Our Father – that it’s God’s will that is done, not ours. And again, God only wants what is best for us.

In the second reading today, we are reminded by St. Paul that at times we can have the futility of our minds. What St. Paul is saying is that even though we know Jesus, we find it too hard to put away our human desires.  St Paul encourages us to let go of our “old self” and put on a “new self” of righteousness and holiness

Sometimes we can do that in our relationship with Jesus. We make choices that follow our desires, not the teachings of Jesus. Maybe it seems too hard to follow Jesus. Maybe we're afraid others will think we are “different”. Maybe we figure everyone else is doing things their own way, so maybe it’s ok if I do too.

God wants to have a deeply personal relationship with every one of us. The starting place for that relationship is to remember that God loves each and every one of us and that God only wants what is best for us. The rest is up to us!

Blessings,
Deacon Randy