"Humans do not want love relationships; we want religion and all its trappings because that is much more comfortable. A love relationship continues to challenge and make demands. It also offers a joy that we cannot tolerate; too near, too lavish, too spacious. What might we do with such freedom? It's easier just to go to church." (R. Rohr "Radical Grace" p. 131)
At first I wanted to challenge Fr. Rohr on his statement about humans not wanting love relationships. Isn't that actually what most of us want, someone to love and to be loved back? Probably, but how about the same for faith. Do we really want a God of love? We want a friendly God, one who won't come down on us like a ton of bricks, but ultimately to enter into a faith commitment that makes demands of us and challenges some if not all of our cherished biases, then we might get a little hesitant.
Of course sometimes the church also doesn't make too many demands or challenges either. We've become hesitant, because we may then have to meet the demands and challenges of those who've accepted our invitation.
But what an amazing thing it could be if the church and its members continued to challenge each other. To not accept the love of God in vain, but to see that freedom as a chance to change ourselves and the world for the better.
But until both church and people can learn to love each other, they will be hesitant to enter into a loving relationship with God.
Blessings,
Ed
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