This year was no exception, our retreat master was Fr Derry Murphy, one of our own lads working in Rome. Derry gave us much food for thought. when reflecting on our image of God he said that, " many people view God as being the all seeing eye,the God who sees and takes note of everything we do." This view of God is a very negative one, and prevents many from coming to know God as the all compassionate God, who loves us unconditionally.

When reflecting on my own life experience I discovered that I saw God as being the all watchful eye. While I professed to seeing God as a loving God who loves me unconditionally yet a big part of me viewed God in a negative way. God loves me yes, but he is not to be trusted, to be sure of his love and forgiveness, Joe do the right thing. I remember in my early childhood out hurling stones in front of the family house in the Island, my dad was furious and was shouting at me to stop. I continued, I remember bending down to pick up a stone when I turned around quickly, I noticed through the window of my room the picture of the sacred heart which I could see clearly, I felt immediately, God was saying, " You bold boy, I see what you are doing". God the all seeing eye.

In my ministry as a priest I have met many people and indeed many good people who live very good lives but yet are plagued with negative ideas of God. The challenge I feel is to take a serious look at our own image of God and while it does not happen over night and indeed for many its a life times work to truly experience God as the all merciful, compassionate, and loving God who loves us in spite of our failures and sins.

I will finish with a passage of scripture which has helped me and hope it will also help you Romans 8;35-37 Who will seperate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or distress,or persecution, or hunger, ornakness, orperil, or the sword? Yet in all this we are conquerors, through him who has granted us his love.