Do we know God?

[arunangelo]

Salvation is to know God (John 17:3). Most people know something about God. However, since God is infinite, it is probably difficult for finite beings like us to fully understand who God is. Yet, because God became one of us in the person of Jesus we can know Him fairly well. To know God, is not to know about him (because even the devil knows about him), but to have an intimate friendship with him (John 15:15). This means that our spirit is in unison with His spirit; His feelings are our feelings, his compassion is our compassion, his humility is our humility and his sacrifice is our sacrifice. In other words we must live his life (1 John2:6). We will then offer the other cheek if slapped one; if someone take away our coat, we will give our shirt as well (Matthew 5:38-42); heal those who betray and hurt us by sacrificing our own life (Isaiah 53: 5 &7); be faithful to our marriage vows even when there is betrayal, hurt and infidelity (Hosea 3:1); forgive unconditionally (Matthew 18:22); and help others, without any string attached.

 

[fhansen]

Yes, good post. I’d add or emphasize that this knowledge is fully a matter of grace and that it grows progressively, God patiently working within us.

 

[hazcompat]

Second reading
From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
Christ the good shepherd

I am the good shepherd. I know my own — by which I mean, I love them — and my own know me. In plain words: those who love me are willing to follow me, for anyone who does not love the truth has not yet come to know it.

My dear brethren, you have heard the test we pastors have to undergo. Turn now to consider how these words of our Lord imply a test for yourselves also. Ask yourselves whether you belong to his flock, whether you know him, whether the light of his truth shines in your minds. I assure you that it is not by faith that you will come to know him, but by love; not by mere conviction, but by action. John the evangelist is my authority for this statement. He tells us that anyone who claims to know God without keeping his commandments is a liar.

Consequently, the Lord immediately adds: As the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. Clearly he means that laying down his life for his sheep gives evidence of his knowledge of the Father and the Father’s knowledge of him. In other words, by the love with which he dies for his sheep he shows how greatly he loves his Father.

Again he says: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; they follow me, and I give them eternal life. Shortly before this he had declared: If anyone enters the sheepfold through me he shall be saved; he shall go freely in and out and shall find good pasture. He will enter into a life of faith; from faith he will go out to vision, from belief to contemplation, and will graze in the good pastures of everlasting life.

So our Lord’s sheep will finally reach their grazing ground where all who follow him in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity. These pastures are the spiritual joys of heaven. There the elect look upon the face of God with unclouded vision and feast at the banquet of life for ever more.

Beloved brothers, let us set out for these pastures where we shall keep joyful festival with so many of our fellow citizens. May the thought of their happiness urge us on! Let us stir up our hearts, rekindle our faith, and long eagerly for what heaven has in store for us. To love thus is to be already on our way. No matter what obstacles we encounter, we must not allow them to turn us aside from the joy of that heavenly feast. Anyone who is determined to reach his destination is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it. Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveler who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing that he forgets where he is going

divineoffice.org/

Peace