The Father draws Us
A few weeks ago I was asked by the Vicar to preside at a service at my childhood parish. I had not visited the parish since I left the town 57 years ago. Driving into the town and entering the church filled me with feelings of reverence and gratitude to God for the journey of my life.
Reading the words of Jesus in this week’s Gospel John 6: 60-69 ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father’ in other translations ‘…unless the father draws them’ I was reminded of the experience. As I stood in the church memories of me as a small, timid child in awe of the majesty of the sacred space filled me. I thought of the words of the song Amazing Grace:
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
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Many of the great theologians have written on John 6: 65 quoted above. These theologians, each in their unique context, highlight the importance of God’s grace in the process of coming to faith in Christ.
Pope Benedict XVI interprets the verse as illustrating the intimate connection between divine initiative and human response. He sees this drawing by the Father as an invitation to a personal relationship with Christ, which requires a free and conscious response from the individual. Karl Barth emphasizes that God’s act of drawing people to Christ is a mystery of divine grace.
I owe my life in the Spirit to the grace of God acting in my life. Standing in that church, I realized that every step of my journey, from that small, timid child to the person I am today, has been a testament to the Father’s gentle drawing, leading me closer to His heart. It is by His grace alone that I was led back to that sacred place, and it is by His grace that I continue to walk this path of faith.
As Pope Benedict says, the grace requires a free and conscious response from the individual. It is the same with you, my dear reader—where you are in your faith journey is a result of God’s grace and your response to His grace. That you are reading this is God’s grace calling you to a deeper relationship.
Do not let this moment pass by unheeded. Reflect on how the Father has gently drawn you to this point, and consider how you can respond more fully to His invitation. Open your heart to His grace, and take the next step in your spiritual journey. Whether it’s through prayer, sacramental life, or acts of love and service, let your response be one of trust and surrender. God is calling you to draw closer to Him—how will you answer?