The
meaning of
having been created in the image of God is veiled in a mystery.
It is impossible to say exactly what it means to have been
created in the image of God. Perhaps we may surmise the intention
was for man to be a witness for God, a symbol of God. Looking
at man, one should be able to sense the presence of God. But
instead of living as a witness, man, in so many ways, has
become an imposter; instead of becoming a symbol, he became
an idol. In man’s presumption he has developed a false sense
of sovereignty which fills the world with terror.
Rabbi
Abraham Joshua Heschel
Rabbi
Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972), educated in Germany, emigrated
to the United States in 1940, fleeing Nazi persecution. His
religious philosophy brings together traditional Jewish texts
and modern questions to explore the reality underlying religion,
including the living and dynamic relationship between God
and humanity.
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make
God part of their company precisely in the way that they treat
one another.
III. Discernment
as a Way of Life
Trying to keep all these ideas about our relationship to God
and to one another within the reality of God’s design for us
is not easy. There is a mode of prayer from the Ignatian tradition
that tries to do just that, the examination of consciousness.
This prayer presents a way to review how God has moved throughout
your day. It also asks you to look at the quality of your response
to God in everyday life at Boston College. Your life in the
residence hall, your study and class work, your service works,
your social life—all these are part of your way to love God
and to love your neighbor. The examination of consciousness
builds on two realities in the life of the Spirit. First, we
have a great deal to be thankful for. Our health, our
opportunity to learn and to use our talents, the way in which
we have helped other people—all are moments of our partnership
with God. Second, we usually have some areas of life where we
need to forgive and to be forgiven. We can be hurt and, unfortunately,
we can hurt. We can waste the opportunity that BC is. We can
get caught in gossip and prejudice and petty angers. The examination
of consciousness is an adult way to bring our gratitude and
our need for forgiveness together.
It does not take a great deal
of time—10 or 15 minutes. There are five parts of the process
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