There are moments when I’m reading Scripture in which I come across a familiar passage I’ve read before, heard it proclaimed, understand the meaning behind it, but then I read it again and it comes to me as if I’m reading it for the first time!
I remember being in a silent retreat, reading the Gospel of John and seeing the wording: “We are children of God.”
I have always understood that idea, but this time it spoke to me as if I was finally and fully realizing the implications of being a child of God for the very first time in my life.
I am a Child of God! Wow!
A simple idea, fully understood. Now, when I read that passage again, I go back to that moment.
As St. Aloysius Gonzaga said,
“It is better to be a child of God than a king of the whole world.”
I recommend a silent retreat if you haven’t experienced one. Silence is a wonderful opportunity to listen to the voice of God.
Powerful Opportunities
I enjoy this aspect of reading Scripture; seeing what God is looking to communicate into our hearts each day.
This upcoming Sunday Mass readings will provide us with many opportunities for reflection, including the Second Reading which contains these passages:
- “Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.” (1 John 4:12)
- “This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:13)
- “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” (1 John 4:6)
All of these passages speak to the simple truth that can sometimes take years to understand: God is love.
As I consider this, I think about how the highest form of that love is Mercy. Pope Francis has stressed the need to understand God’s mercy throughout his Pontificate. As he has stated: “Mercy is the very heart of God.”
What comes to your mind and heart?
"Always give good heed to the Word of God, whether you hear or read it in private, or hearken to it when publicly preached: listen with attention and reverence; seek to profit by it, and do not let the precious words fall unheeded; receive them into your heart as a costly balsam; imitate the Blessed Virgin who ‘kept all the sayings’ concerning her Son, ‘in her heart.’ " - St. Francis de Sales
May we take time this week to read our Scripture, and ponder the Word of God which speaks and inspires hope and love into our life.
Daniel Quintero is a stand-up comedian currently attending Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
