Claimed

Isn’t it strange how big a difference the word “my” makes? Someone recently asked me, “When the Psalm says ‘God, my God, how awesome is your name,’ isn’t that redundant?” I struggled to give a good response; it was hard to put into words on the spot. But it’s the idea of claiming God as our own. He isn’t just a god, like Zeus or Osiris or Odin. He is my God. I have claimed Him.

Now, perhaps this still isn’t making much sense, as it didn’t make sense to the questioner. Anyone can go into an animal shelter and point and say, “dog.” But when you go in and point and say, “my dog,” you’re indicating that you will take that one home, you will care for it, you will love it. It means so much more to you than any other dog in the shelter. We use the word “my” in various contexts with various feelings – that’s not just any mother, that’s my mother who is bringing a lovely surprise. That’s not just any teacher receiving a prize, that’s my teacher. There’s a sense of belonging, of pride, of love. This is even more true when it’s your significant other. Out of all the people in the world with this name, this one is mine, for we have claimed each other; this one belongs with me.

To return to God, this isn’t just any god we’re talking about. This is the God who created the universe, who claimed Jesus Christ at His baptism, saying, “This is My Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). And again at the Transfiguration, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him” (Luke 9:35). Jesus is not the only one He claimed; to the entire nation of Israel He said, “You shall be my people, and I shall be your God” (Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12). Through Christ, this claim extends to all Christians. Yes, this is the God who created all things. But more personally, this is my God. The One I love. The One I belong to. The One who belongs to me. The One who cares for me, whom I worship. The One who gave Himself entirely for my sake. This is why, during the Mass, when the priest holds up Jesus in the Eucharist and says the words of Jesus, “This is My Body… this is My Blood,” my response is, “Jesus, my Lord, and my God.” Because He is mine. And I am His.