These are among my favorite verses in Scripture. At 16, during free time at a teen retreat, I wandered to the ballfields behind church where I used to play softball. I sat on the dugout bench with my new pocket-sized New Testament and turned to a random page—today’s reading from Ephesians.
Suddenly, God was there on that bench—a divine encounter as the Holy Spirit opened my heart to the “love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” Filled with the “fullness” of God, I knew the breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love for me. It was a moment. And a transformational shift from head-knowledge to heart-knowledge of God.
Jesus is in search of our hearts. His loving heart works in mysterious ways, but his Presence is manifest in Scripture and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. May we know him, trust him and live for him.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thanks to all our commenters today. Sometimes you get a little kiss from heaven in unexpected ways. I was on the lector schedule for the morning Mass today at my parish. Of course the lector manager who made the schedule had no idea ahead of time what the readings might have been or if someone like me had a "favorite" among the Scriptures of the day. It was a random assignment. But I think the Holy Spirit had a hand in it. It was my joy to read this second reading from Ephesians today with a smile on my face, as it has had such meaning for me in the course of my life, since those tender teenage years. May we all be blessed to know the deep love that Jesus has for us today.
Indeed, He did ✝️ Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires!”
For many years God was on the bench inviting me to sit next to him but the encounters were temporary because of my lack of faith. When my life had become unmanageable and I cried out to him I was afraid he might say I had used up all my chances. Fortunately, he looked at me, smiled, and invited me to be with him for eternity. Now I can see and feel his presence in everything I do. Even when tempted by Satan the Holy Spirit is beside me as I discern the best path to follow. Unfortunately, at present, I am unable to receive his body sacramentally but embrace him spiritually at mass daily. I saw Jesus Thirsts - The Miracle of the Eucharist earlier this week and long for the time I can once again open my mouth and fill my soul with his body and blood.
"Most Holy Sacred Heart of Jesus, help my heart to persevere in all that is holy." St. Rita of Cascia
Thank you for a beautiful reflection this morning, Pat. Dear Lord Jesus, may I love You more every day. Your heart is so full of Love, it truly is beyond understanding. Thank you for loving unconditionally.
Yes, I have met Jesus daily in the Book of John this last school year at BSF! *** The purpose of John writing this book is summarized in John 20:31, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. If you believe this, you will have life because you belong to Him!” *** John repeated that summary throughout the book in today’s ready John 19:35, “The man who saw it (v32-34) has been a witness about it. And what he has said is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He is a witness so that you also may believe!” *** John also told us all the little details of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection were fulfillment of Scripture in John 19:36-37, “These things happened in order that Scripture would come true. It says, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) Scripture also says, “They will look to the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)” ******* Even the soldier who pierced Jesus’ side became a witness for Jesus!!! Why all these witnesses? So you (others) may believe! Sharing your encounter(s) with Jesus is witnessing for Jesus so others may believe in Jesus! And many of you have shared your witnessing here :-) Thank you! *** Encounters with Jesus never end and therefore witnessing for Jesus never ends :-) *** Keep your encounters with Jesus daily and current! I praise Jesus for His Providence, Protection and Presence in my husband’s kidney stone taking us to the ER on 5/25, passing the big stone 5x7mm on 5/27! So I can still go to see Jessi 5/27-5/30! Not only that, Matt and I are now able to take the planned trip 6/4-6/14 without the threat of a kidney stone that we didn’t know anything about :-) *** I borrow Paul’s prayer for us in Ephesians 3:14-21, “I bow in prayer to the Father because of my work among you. From the Father every family in heaven and on earth gets its name. I pray that He will use His glorious riches to make you strong. May His Holy Spirit give you His power deep down inside you. Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in Him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. And may you know His love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you. God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by His power that is working in us. Give Him glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. Give Him glory through all time and for ever and ever. Amen!” ******* One of my favorite verses in Ephesians 2:8-10, “God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your Salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do!” Amen!!!
Thank you Pat for todays beautiful reflection. I also have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which is all merciful and forgiving. As he was dying on the cross he gave up everything for our salvation down to the very last drop of blood. But before his death he offered a final gift of mercy for those who had treated him so cruelly, when he prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” And even today Jesus, with a heart filled with love for each one of us, holds nothing back as he pours out his love into our hearts day after day. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Thank you for sharing this reflection. It reminded me of a strikingly similar moment when I was 16. At a week-long service experience, we were prompted to spend “20 minutes with God,” and it was the first time I experienced that kind of presence. I knew that God was real and loved me, not because my parents or teachers or youth ministers told me, but because of what I felt. I need to spend more time like that - just resting with God and being open to the Spirit.
Amen How beautiful Julie !
AMEN!
Thanks for sharing, Pat. I love genuine stories that bring a tear of love and joy to my eye!
I love today's feast. I fell in love with the Sacred Heart of Jesus when I first saw a huge framed picture of Him in my grandma's house. Then many years later a dear priest friend on mine left me his beautiful Sacred Heart Statue in his will after he died. On this feast day I take the statue from its usual place and place it in front of my chair so as I see Him all day long. What a wonderful gift the Lord has given to us.
Amen & peace be with you Vincent.
Amen.
Amen.
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Thank you Pat…..just beautiful reflection today. Shari, sending you light. Also asking for continued prayers for Karen and all those undergoing medical treatment. Amen.