ARTICLE – What God Needs from Us Is Love, Reconciliation, and a Spirit of Forgiveness

October 8, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

The statement “What God needs from us is love, reconciliation, and a spirit of forgiveness” might seem puzzling at first. After all, God is perfect and all-powerful. How can He possibly need anything from us? The following offers valuable insights into this concept, revealing that God’s “need” stems from His immense love for humanity and His desire for a restored relationship with His creation.

God’s love as the driving force: God’s love is the primary motivation for His actions. It’s this boundless love that compels Him to reach out to humanity, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. God’s desire for a loving relationship with humanity is so profound that He is willing to “beg” for our return. This emphasizes that God’s “need” for love isn’t a weakness; it’s a testament to the depth of His love for us.
Reconciliation as the bridge: Sin has created a chasm between humanity and God. Reconciliation is the process of bridging that gap. God calls all individuals to turn away from sin and return to him, seeking forgiveness and restoring our relationship with Him. This reconciliation involves both a personal turning back to God and a commitment to living in harmony with His will.
Forgiveness as the healing balm: God’s forgiveness is offered freely and abundantly to those who repent. This forgiveness not only cleanses us from sin but also heals the wounds caused by our transgressions. God takes no pleasure in punishment. Instead, He yearns to restore us to wholeness and to bring us into the fullness of His love.
The Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confession as a means of unity: The Eucharist and Confession are efficacious signs and instruments of God’s desire for unity and reconciliation. Receiving Communion and the Sacrament of Penance unites us with Christ and with each other, fostering a spirit of love and forgiveness within the Church.
Interconnectedness: Love, reconciliation, and forgiveness are intertwined. Love compels God to seek reconciliation with humanity. This reconciliation is made possible through His forgiveness, which, in turn, fosters deeper love and a stronger bond between God and His children. This cyclical nature underscores the transformative power of these three elements in restoring the broken relationship between humanity and its Creator.
Love among brothers: Just as God’s love extends to all His children, He calls us to love one another as brothers and sisters. This love should mirror the selfless, unconditional love that God has for us. By loving our fellow human beings, we reflect God’s love and contribute to the healing of broken relationships within the human family.
Reconciliation between brothers: God desires not only reconciliation between Himself and humanity but also reconciliation among His children. When brothers are estranged, it grieves the heart of God. He calls us to take active steps towards reconciliation, to humble ourselves, and to seek unity even when it’s difficult. This process of reconciliation between brothers reflects the larger reconciliation between God and humanity.
Forgiveness among brothers: Forgiveness is a powerful act that can heal deep wounds between brothers. God’s forgiveness of us serves as a model for how we should forgive one another. When we forgive our brothers, we participate in God’s work of restoration and healing. This forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential for maintaining the bonds of brotherly love and reflecting God’s character in our relationships.

While God doesn’t “need” anything in the sense of lacking something essential to His being, He deeply desires a loving, reconciled, and forgiving relationship with His creation. This “need” arises from His perfect love and His longing to share His fullness with us. It’s by responding to this call for love, embracing reconciliation, and accepting His forgiveness that we fulfill our true purpose and enter into the joy of communion with Him. Moreover, by extending this love, reconciliation, and forgiveness to our brothers, we participate in God’s work of restoration and reflect His character in our relationships with others.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

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