Studying the various titles of God will comfort and encourage us
2 min • Digitized on December 26, 2021
From The Sinner’s Guide, page 137
By Venerable Louis of Granada
God is our Shepherd, because He guides us; He is also our King, because He protects us; our Master, because He instructs us; our Physician, because He heals us; and our Guardian, because He watches over us.
Holy Scripture is full of these names. But the tenderest of all, the one which best expresses His love, is that of Spouse, which occurs most frequently in the Canticle of Canticles, though mentioned many times in other parts of the Scriptures. With this name would He have even sinners invoke Him: “From this time call to Me: Thou art my Father, the Guide of my virginity.” [Jer. iii. 4.]
But why seek in Scripture various names? Cannot every name expressive of good be applied to our Saviour? Does not he who seeks and loves Him find in Him the fulfilment of all his desires?
Hence, St. Ambrose says: “We possess all things in Christ, or rather Christ is all things to us. If you would be healed of your wounds, He is a Physician; if you thirst, He is a living Fountain; if you fear death, He is your Life; if you are weary of the burden of sin, He is your Justification; if you hate darkness, He is uncreated Light; if you would reach Heaven, He is the Way; if you hunger, He is your Food.”
Behold how numerous are the titles which represent this one and indivisible God, Who is all things to us for the healing of our innumerable infirmities.
We have selected a few of the passages of Scripture bearing on our subject, to comfort the just and to win and encourage souls who have not yet begun to serve God.
These consoling truths will support them in labor; will reassure them in danger; will comfort them in tribulation; will inflame them with love for so good a Master, and impel them to give themselves wholly to the service of Him who gives Himself so completely to them.
Thus we see that the principal foundation of the Christian life is the practical knowledge of this truth.