Image This

Creating man, God has given man a mind, a heart, a soul, a will to seek Him out, thereby knowing and loving Him. He has granted man an image of himself in Jesus Christ whereby man may learn the way to God, His Father.

Humans, especially men and boys, seem to grasp the concept of image first in tools and their uses. Their brains see the tool, watch it act and soon they are engrossed in discovering what they would like the tool to do for them. Going from concrete into the mind, seeing the possibilities, the tool has been transformed into something unique for them.

Reading sacred scripture evokes imaging. No one who reads “The angel showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming forth from the throne of God… ”(Rev22:1) cannot but see images- river, ever-flowing, always moving forward, life-giving, clear, so one can see the object is love, mercy, grace, peace,- all supernatural gifts God gives to man. The longer one images, more thoughts come forth, until prayerful meditation is granted.

There are ways ”imaging” seem to occur; reading a passage, seeing a picture or photograph, listening to music, touching something with closed eyes, smelling flowers or perfume. Our senses are attuned to memories, experiences, hopes, desires and are brought forth by imaging.

Jesus used imaging as he taught; he goes from what is seen and understood into the thoughts of God; he goes from what is known to truth of God. Faith in Jesus and his word is our basis in reading scripture. Jesus wants to reach our hearts through his word and spirit. His power of grace in directing our reading motivates one to dig deeper so that it becomes more than a story, or a history of a person. Scripture is God’s way of speaking to us- judgement, focus, thoughts, are illuminated by His truth.

Image Jesus and his disciples on a boat with Jesus. The image may remind a priest of his church with Jesus guiding it; to someone in the depths of suffering, the same image may speak to the peace and calmness Jesus brings in the midst of trials; to a young person wrestling with his vocation, it may bring to mind the adventure a journey with Christ brings. Each one wants communion with the Trinity, a visualization of otherness, so the projection of an image each holds dear brings joy and hope in God’s eternal love.

The image from scripture I see for myself is “Feed my sheep.” Each time I go to Mass and hear, ”Do this in remembrance of me”, my image is affirmed. It is Jesus’ command to me - it speaks to me directly; it is my calling, my consecrated duty, the reason for my creation, the driving force I must follow for eternal salvation. It is my work on this earth, to follow the work Jesus began, in order for me to become his disciple. Stirring in my psyche, it has taken many forms, some of which I did not recognize until much later. The journey has had many winding paths, yet my faith and trust in Jesus’ command to me has been unwavering because of the image, “Feed my sheep” Christ has imprinted on my mind and heart.