February 11th

The question “Who is God?” is a surprisingly difficult question that varies from person to person.  If you were to ask a child, they would likely paint him, they would likely say something related to “He created the Earth and all the animals”; something with positive imagery.  If you were to ask an atheist, they would tell you that God does not exist and that His believers are lunatics.  

My answer to this question is simple:  He is the father of all creation and time.

Exodus 1-18 outlines God’s power over the world through humans and nature.  He clearly marks his position through the Passover, in which he kills baby boys that are not Israelites.  This instance proposes questions regarding his personality: is he really a merciful God if he kills babies and young children?  The answer is still yes. He punished the Egyptians as such to remind them that one must act for the common good, not one’s self.  Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites because they annoyed him, not because he truly thought they were a threat. Choosing to ignore God’s warnings is why there were several plagues.  

Exodus 1-18 demonstrates that God is merciful, but He does have boundaries you should not cross.  

Ratzinger also notes the importance in the name “Yahweh” which means “I am who I am”.  This name creates a mysterious nature behind God, leaving only the fact that He is a divine being.  The only way that He is truly evident for humans is when He is called upon by name, which is why there is one in the first place.  He is the definition of “being” and “existing” because He has created everything on Earth. With this personality, He is the father of all “being” in creation and time.