Behold the One Beholding You

Over the past two days, we reflected on God’s unconditional love and grace. I continue that theme today.

Not long ago, I heard Father Gregory Boyle talk about his friend and spiritual director, Bill Cain. A number of years ago, his friend took time off of his own ministry to care for his father as he died of cancer. 

His father had become quite frail but his mind remained sharp. At night, Bill would put his father to bed and then read to him from some novel, to try and put him to sleep. He said his father would often just lie there, staring at his son, smiling. 

Exhausted from the day’s care and work, he would plead, “Look, here’s the idea. I read to you, you fall asleep.” His father would apologize and close his eyes again. But this wouldn’t last long. After just a few moments, he would squint through one eye and smile at his son. Bill would catch him, “Now, come on, Dad. Time for sleep.” This routine went on and on.

After his father’s death, he said looking back on that – that time with his dad meant a great deal to him. And he came to see that this evening ritual was really just a story of a father who just couldn’t take his eyes off his kid. 

Maybe you’ve known what that is like – looking at your own child sleeping at night…

Father Greg said, “How much more so God? As Anthony De Mello writes, ‘Behold the One beholding you…’

This is the basis for our faith… This is the ground from which we build our relationships with each other. This is the ground from which our love and acceptance and care for others springs. This is the ground from which our ministry takes root. Without that foundation, none of it makes sense.

Let us pray: God of grace, we thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to accept this love and share it with a world desperately in need. Amen.