Among other games of childhood, I was particularly fond of hide and seek.  Perhaps you too played this activity a time or two in your earlier years.  As an adult, I try to remember which role I preferred more...the hider or the seeker...the former being filled with long periods of quiet anticipation holding one's breath so as not to be found out while the latter being all speed and pursuit and dog-like tracking.  I know which one was way more fun...the seeker, of course!

In my relationship with the Divine I often play a similar game.  Unfortunately, in my human condition I end up doing a lot more hiding from God than I do seeking that great Love of my life.  I take after my spiritual foreparents in the Garden...focusing all too often on my shame and blemish and looking for the most overgrown part of the garden where I can hide in the dark, shady spot.

In today’s first reading the prophet Hosea calls on Israel to “sow for yourselves justice; reap the fruit of piety...it is time to seek the Lord.”  No more hiding behind altars and sacred pillars.  The Psalmist takes it a step further and sprinkles in a positive slant:  “Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!”  This is meant to be fun!!  As kids we understood that.  As adults we need to be reminded.

“Seek always the face of the Lord.”  (Ps 105:4b)

Keep the game going.  Don’t sit this one out.  And certainly don’t play small, crouching in some deceptively cozy hiding spot away from God’s loving gaze.

The best part of it all:  when we seek, God wants to be found!