I've often heard people picture God as distant and aloof, watching in vigilance for them to step out of line. These folks envision God as a scorekeeper ready and eager to punish their sins and failings.

Today's eucharistic Scriptures reveal a totally different picture of God. Yes, He indeed is watching each of us. Jesus reveals that God the Father watches us like the father of the prodigal son watched for his wayward child. The reason the father spotted the boy "while he was still a long way off" (Lk 15:20) was because he was constantly, lovingly, vigilantly looking for him. Likewise, God absolutely delights in showering us with mercy (Mi 7:18) and watches eagerly for the moment when we are ready to receive it.

We are commanded to "fix [our] eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1). However, we can do this only because the Lord has first fixed His eyes on us. The Old Testament reveals that God "watches over" the just and blameless (Ps 1:6; 34:21; 37:18). Jesus reveals in the New Testament that God watches over even the sinners and those who hate or ignore Him (Lk 15:20; Mt 5:45).

Jesus "watched" Peter and Andrew before He called them to their vocations (Mt 4:18). He watches us even while we are "still a long way" from serving Him. He sees us not for who we are, but for who we can be in Him: royal, priestly, holy, and chosen (1 Pt 2:9). God loves to look at us. He pleads: "Let Me see you...You are lovely" (Sg 2:14). "Come to" Jesus. You are "precious in God's eyes" (1 Pt 2:4). You are the apple of His eye! (Ps 17:8)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004