Simple Sunday Snapshot: August 3

Brothers and sisters:

What will separate us from the love of Christ? 

Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 

No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly

through him who loved us. 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor present things, nor future things,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor any other creature will be able to separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

What a reading to take into the week with us. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God's love through Christ Jesus. This is one of those passages that was a "love at first sight" verse, but not until I just sat with it to prepare my heart for Mass tomorrow did the magnitude of this promise hit me. {Yes, I have finally started pre-reading and praying with the Scriptures now - chasing/shooshing two toddlers at Mass doesn't really provide much time for deep reflection, after all, so necessity has led me to what I should have been doing all along.}

I digress. Back to this reading - God loves you NO MATTER WHAT. God's love is there, waiting, regardless of our response. If we believe, His love is there. If we don't believe, His love is still there. If we don't believe He could possibly love us because of our fears, faults, and failings, His love remains steadfast for us. Nothing can separate us from His love. All we can do is turn away from it, and even still, His love waits for us faithfully. 

Sitting with this reality presents me a challenge. In my own spirit, it is a challenge to lay aside the magnifying glass that amplifies all the reasons I am not worthy of God's love and just accept Him at His Word. He has made me and He loves me. In my actions, I am challenged to love without strings attached. In the face of disrespect, betrayal, hurt, and anger, I am challenged to continue loving. I am challenged to remain open to allow Jesus to love with abandon through me. That is quite the tall order for this all-too-human gal some days. Two steps forward and one step back is still forward progress, though, so we keep trying in faith. 

Here is hoping the week ahead is filled with ample reminders of God's undying love for you, and grace to keep loving as He does.

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