god is rich
"God is rich in mercy; because of His great love for us He brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By this favor you were saved." —Ephesians 2:4-5
Today is traditionally called "Laetare Sunday." "Laetare" means "rejoice," for Lent is half over and Easter is only three weeks away. We rejoice not because we don't have to fast for much longer but because God has already done marvelous works this Lent, and this is only the beginning.
What are you expecting for Holy Week and the Easter season? Do you expect a fifty-day Sunday for the Easter season? No matter how high your hopes, the Lord will do more than you could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). "Is it possible that He Who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" (Rm 8:32)
After God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son (Jn 3:16), we can only underestimate the love, grace, and glory God has in store for us (1 Cor 2:9). He "gave us a place in the heavens, that in the ages to come He might display the great wealth of His favor" (Eph 2:6-7). We are so small and closed in on ourselves. God is so great and lavish in His love. How can the ocean of God's love be poured into the thimble of our selfishness? "Open wide your hearts!" (2 Cor 6:13)
Prayer: Father, it must be frustrating to want to love but have no one to receive. I repent. Do anything You want to open wide my heart.
Promise: "Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of His people, let him go up, and may his God be with him!" —2 Chr 36:23
Praise: Praise Jesus, the Reflection of God the Father (Heb 1:3), Who is rich in mercy (Eph 2:4).
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 16, 2005
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.