One With God 

   “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  So they are no longer two but one flesh” (Mark 10: 7 – 8) 

Throughout scripture the relationship between God and His people is compared to matrimony.  When we view it as such we will better understand how our bond with the Lord is to be.

   A sacramental marriage is one in which the couple become one with each other in love; a love which comes from the source of all love; God.  There is no promise that there will never be difficulties to face in the marriage, only that love can overcome them.  It takes hard work at times and compromise is an absolute must.  But most of all it requires love as it is intended to be; the unselfish desire for the good of the other.  In such a marriage the two will truly become one.

   The wedding of God to His people is very much the same.  God’s love is all-powerful, all present, and never-ending.  His only desire is for the good of His spouse, the church.  We, on the other hand, often place many things above our love for God.  Sometimes it’s money or fame, sometimes is other earthly pleasures and desires.  Sometimes we even place our love of others above our love of God, never realizing that the more we love God the more we will love all of God’s children.  As St. Benedict wrote, "Prefer nothing to the love of God."

   There is a prayer that reflects such a desire to become one with God.  I’m not sure where I found it and I don’t know who wrote it, but it goes like this:

 

“Dear Lord, when shall I be completely one with You and entirely forgetful of myself?  You in me and I in you; grant that we may be always so and remain as one forever.”