The Divine Potter
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Have you ever watched a potter at his or her trade? The potter produces anything made of clay which is then fired (baked at very high temperatures). Decorative vases, blessing cups and the like come to mind. Of course, nowadays, much of this is done by machines in large factories, but the handmade stuff is always very special.
The Potter's hands form the clay into the desired shape. It is a slow and delicate process, and it is an ancient trade. In Isaiah 29:16 there is reference to a potter: "Shall the potter be regarded as the clay; that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?" There are at least ten other references to a potter and his clay in the Book of Isaiah. And in Wisdom 15:7, "For when a potter kneads the soft earth and laboriously molds each vessel for our service, he fashions out of the same clay both the vessels that serve clean uses and those for contrary uses, making all in like manner; but which shall be the use of each of these the worker in clay decides."
We refer often to Jesus as the Divine Potter with the understanding that He molds us carefully and deliberately to be in His image. And, as we become closer to God through our trials and suffering, we are like the mold forming in the potter's hands... it is a strong analogy, isn't it?
The prophet Jeremiah uses the potter who fashions clay, to describe the Lord God who created, shaped and formed us, set us apart and called us. Many people in the early years of our lives joined hands with the divine potter and helped us to accept and respond to God's call. The same divine potter and his partners, and many new ones in our future will dispose and assist us to expand and deepen our response. In Jer. 18:2-6, "Rise up, be off to the potter's house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel."
As I was researching these Biblical quotations, I found an immense amount of negativism and downright Catholic "bashing" on the Internet as I asked for "Divine Potter" through a search engine. So, as long as we're on the subject, Roman Catholics can be led astray by incorrect teaching. Please discern carefully what you read and only use Catholic websites that are known to be reliable in their fidelity to the Pope, and Magisterium of the Church.
How can we show our gratitude for this caring and loving God? By staying out of trouble and by loving all other people, in our families, in our neighborhood, city, state, or globally, as we love God, as we love ourselves. If we do not love ourselves (we are, after all, created in God's image), then we cannot love others because we do not know what love is. There are so many bad marriages in this day and age because people do not know what love it. They think that love is all physical. No, on the contrary, it's all in the heart, and with Jesus Christ as your mentor, savior, and dearest friend we will treat our spouses with a renewed respect, devotion and love.
Peace and Good to All,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Dec. 28, 2025 (bc95)