What the Little Mermaid can teach us about God.

In Song of Songs 1:2 it states, “Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.” God wants our love; God wants us to have that most intimate kiss with him. That’s what receiving the Eucharist is all about! 
What does this have to do with the Little Mermaid?  There is a scene in which Sebastian, the crab, is trying to set the mood for Prince Eric to “kiss the girl,” Ariel. This scene is rich with theological gems that are good to ponder.  
Like most things it’s probably easiest to explain God’s role first and then ours following from that explanation. God is like Ariel in that He loves us, wants to be intimate with us, but at the same time has chosen to be silent in one way so as to communicate that love in other ways. I mean, truth be told, I don’t hear God the same way I hear my wife speaking with me on the phone.  
Next up is Sebastian, his merry band of turtles, and other animals that are setting the mood are the Church. By that I mean people that work for the Church, priests, bishops, and anyone that has come to know God on a deeper level. We are to set the mood. Not that I know God on a deeper level, but just because I work for the Church part of my job is to get more people to take that plunge into the everlasting love of God. Our parish needs to have an inviting, homie, romantic atmosphere. Our choir is like the mariachi band at your last date night, again, setting the mood. We all need to do our part to help set the mood for another. Active participation is one of the biggest things that came out of Vatican II. A post Covid time will come when we ask for more readers etc. The more we participate the deeper the meaning of the Mass becomes. “Sail away with me, to another world.” -Islands in the stream 
Finally, we come to youthful Eric, the one we are most alike. We can be in the boat with God amidst all the hints and surrounded by the melodic mood setting but still, STILL, not having a real clue. We are too caught up with what’s around us or in asking questions than to just take God’s lead and be silent and sense how He’s communicating His love to us. We need to silence ourselves enough to sense the communication for God. As a priest friend once told us, “The Rosary and other devotions are great, but sometimes we need to set them aside and just be with God.” Please, I beg you, go be with God in the boat sometime soon.