Images of the Father

I can still remember the cover of our First Communion textbook.  There was an illustration of a dark skinned child gazing at a large communion host.  The background of the cover was mostly blue and around the host was white, yellow and orange variations of color.  It is strange that I should remember that cover.  For whatever reason I call that to mind.

As Jesus presents the image of the mustard seed, I have to wonder what images of God, Jesus, and the Church, that we leave with our children, and even adults coming into the faith.  Do we convey a God of love or a God of punishment?  Is the Eucharist the bread of life and the Body of Christ, or is it "blessed bread" as I have heard it described.  Images are important because we continue to go back to them for inspiration and learning.  Throughout our lives the same image changes for us, or perhaps we change as we are drawn deeper into the picture.

The mustard seed really challenges us in our faith.  It's smallness establishes that even with our faults and foibles we can do wonderful things in the the Kingdom of God.  I believe that it is in Luke's Gospel we are told that an individual who simply gives a  cup of water to a follower of Jesus, will not want for a reward in God's presence.  But there is also room here to consider what images of God do we leave with little ones, and those who are still growing in their the faith.

Ives Congar was a theologian of the mid-twentieth century.  He insists that we do not always appreciate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our Church.  The signs and symbols that we are given are rich in meaning and theology.  Planted within us, nurtured through the Word of God and the Sacraments, they enable us to grow into the image and likeness of Christ.  The fruits of the Holy Spirit, as expressed by Paul today, keep us focused on the holy things that are around us.  They call to mind not only our profession of faith, but the profession made by countless others down through the centuries.

As faithful stewards we are responsible for maintaining the richness of our signs and symbols.  Hopefully these images will continue to call peoples to faith, and inspire them to draw deeply from the springs of salvation.