“I do not know you”—harsh words that startle me. We believe that God’s love and mercy are boundless. So how do we reconcile ourselves with the idea that God may say he doesn’t know us?
Jesus is issuing a very stern warning. Just knowing God through the casual acquaintance of Sunday services, rote prayer, and occasional charitable
works is insufficient. It’s so easy to keep up appearances of a relationship with God when, in fact, we are only casual acquaintances. Simply going to church and being religious isn’t enough. We need to undergo a genuine transformation, which can happen when we have a relationship with God.
Significant relationships require dedication, commitment, sacrifice and service of both parties. They are hard work, but the fruits can be
extensive.
God wants to be in an intimate relationship with us and spend time with us, so that our friendship grows and blossoms. God wants to share in all our joys and sorrows. God may know all about us, but God still wants us to share all of ourselves, including our secrets. Not only are we opening ourselves to God, but in this relationship, God is revealing more and more of Godself to us, too.
St Ignatius of Loyola offers this prayer. Today, perhaps we can ask for the grace to know God more.
Reflections by Ursula van Nierop
