One of my favourite writers, when it comes to prayers and reflections, is Joyce Rupp. Rupp is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) Community and the codirector of the Institute of Compassionate Presence. She has written many, many books and through her work as a writer and as a retreat leader she has been described as a “spiritual mid-wife”.
A book of hers that I particularly enjoy is called ‘Fragments of Your Ancient Name’. In it she offers 365 descriptors of God complete with one page reflection so that each day of the year you can read of an image for God. She draws from across traditions -the Psalms, Sufi saints, Hindu poets, contemporary writers and the Christian gospels to name and describe God. In so doing she inspires and stirs our thinking while offering new dimensions to our understanding of God. In her introduction she quotes Dorothee Soelle, “There are never enough names and images for what we love.”
Today, March 11th, the image offered is “Divine Challenger”. The reflection ends with the words, “Ah, in so many ways you challenge us because you believe in who we can be.” Do you think of God as a challenger? Like many of her offerings this one made me stop and reflect on what I do think of when I say the name God. God as Love. God as Mystery. God as Guiding Star. God as Higher Power. God as Allah. God as Goodness. God as Friend. Well, the list goes on and on with each day giving a name to reflect on the descriptions of God that influence and shape me as a believer.
How do you describe God? Are there name for God that make you uncomfortable? Do you know why that it? If you could expand your understanding of God what would you lose? What will you gain?
