March 22 to 28, 2008
Theme 2: God's Unconditional Loving

Iniibig kita, manalig ka sana
Ako'y kapiling mo
Kahit ikaw pa ma'y mapalayo.

Grace:

It is so difficult at times to believe how much You love me, Lord. Confronted by my sins and my weaknesses, I wonder at the depth of your love for me. I am in awe at the possibility of You loving me, when the world often tells me that I am not "enough," that I should be MORE in order to be loved.

And so I try hard to prove myself, Lord. Even to You. Not fully realizing that I need never be anything more than what You have made me, that I no longer need to "win" Your love - for Your love is freely given. You have loved me first.

My Lord Jesus, I beg for the grace of a thankful heart, a heart filled with awe and wonder, knowing that God who is always near has chosen to love me unconditionally, and that His love for me is much more than I can imagine.

Scripture: Is 43:1-7

1 But now, this is what the LORD says-        he who created you, O Jacob,        he who formed you, O Israel:        "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;        I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters,        I will be with you;        and when you pass through the rivers,        they will not sweep over you.        When you walk through the fire,        you will not be burned;        the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God,        the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;        I give Egypt for your ransom,        Cush [a] and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,        and because I love you,        I will give men in exchange for you,        and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;        I will bring your children from the east        and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'        and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'        Bring my sons from afar        and my daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone who is called by my name,        whom I created for my glory,        whom I formed and made."

Reflection:

Take time to reflect on the things, people and events you are most grateful for. Try to remember also those moments when you felt truly the Lord's unconditional love for you. What were those graced moments like? Who were with you? What was the Lord saying to you during these moments? How did you respond to His love during those times?

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Grace:

During these days of Lent, Father, help me to see Your love all around me. Help me realize that you are not a distant God, that You are close to me in this world, blessing me every moment with Your love. Help me to discover You in others. Help me feel the love You have so generously given in even the little things I encounter each day.

Lord Jesus, I humbly beg for the grace of recognizing and accepting your love for me. When I am confronted by my own unworthiness, help me to not reject You, but instead to welcome your love, which is forever healing and redeeming.

Grant me, Lord, with the grace to always be reminded that You have chosen to love me. Teach me to accept how unconditional and true Your love for me is, regardless of who I am and who I have become. Fill me with a deep awareness and understanding of this First Love, until I cannot help but overflow with love as well, and become a channel of Your love for others.

Next week, we ponder on our brokenness and revisit our Human Sinfulness.