You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3.

People become like their gods. It is not that we, since the creation of the world, have created gods in our image. Rather we have imagined the sort of gods who might be useful for us. If we want to conquer our enemies, our god will be war-like; if we need to feel OK when we've done wrong, then our god will be appeased through sacrifices.

The gods of the American Zuni Indians are kindly and beneficent; so these people have no sorcery, they dance a lot, and life is a constant celebration. The Ojibwa gods, on the other hand, have to be bargained with and bribed; their religion is fearmotivated; life is selfish, and there is an abundance of black magic.

The God of the Pharisees is stern and legalistic, so life for them is governed by 'decency', authority, and duty, and their preaching aims to induce guilt. The God of Jesus loves sinners, so Jesus enjoys partying, life is zestful and spontaneous, the Kingdom is one of feasting, of joyful celebration.

For the Pharisees 'repentance precedes acceptance'; with Jesus it was the other way around. (J.B. Phillips termed this god 'a resident policeman'). What is your idea of who God is? Where did you get that idea?

Eternal God, the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you; grant us so to know you, that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (St Augustine of Hippo).