The Trinitarian God created us in His own image and likeness. He desires to make himself known and to share His life with us (CCC 257, 260) so we may share in his truth, beauty and goodness (CCC 41, 319). Being in the image of God, man is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons (CCC 357) - in other words, of imitating the Trinity's life-giving love. This is our ultimate calling: to become capable of loving as God loves us, and to imitate the life-giving love which is the very nature of God, who is an eternal exchange of love within Himself. Our participation in God’s trinitarian life is made possible especially in the Church's liturgy and sacraments, whereby we partake of God's life of grace. The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace by which God's divine, trinitarian life is dispensed to us (CCC 1131). Catechism of The Catholic Church.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperat illi Deus; supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen

Friday, February 8, 2013

God in a chalice

One evening early in the new year I joined a colleague and her nine year old son for dinner at a local pizzeria. I've been out to dinner with her and her husband and two young children on several occasions. A lovely Jewish family. On that occasion, I gave mom a lift home so she could check on her kids and grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to work.

True Story

The three of us head out to the pizzeria. We are seated at a booth table, just ahead of a big rush of customers. The son, let's call him Joshua, is given a box of crayons and a paper placemat on which to draw. While Mom and I chat about work, Joshua immerses himself in the creation of a menorah.

"Nice menorah," I chime up. Joshua grins. The menorah gradually morphs into a chalice. 

Joshua gives me a look. Clearly, I'm being commanded to ask him about the picture. "Hey Joshua, what's up with the menorah?" "It's a chalice now", he states in a matter-of-fact tone. His mom and I return to flitting between work and trivia.

A minute or two pass and Joshua casts me that look again. I take a moment to review the latest revision. Joshua has drawn what looks like a man in the chalice.

"Ok, Joshua, so who is in the chalice?" Joshua replies, "It's God!"

A nine year old Jewish boy draws a picture of God in a chalice.

"Hmm... God in a chalice,... that's very Catholic of you." His mom sputters; Joshua looks perplexed. The food arrives; the conversation moves on to the restaurant decor.
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1 comment:

  1. That is a GREAT story! Out of the mouths of babes and all that!

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