“You are the light of the world. (…) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:14a,16)
These wonderful words are addressed to the Lord’s disciples—that is, to us! Through union with Jesus, we are not only illuminated by His light, but we ourselves become light by passing on God’s Word and learning to do His works. And since the divine Master, the Son of God, tells us this, it is no presumption.
NOTE: Today, as part of the “Father’s Reflections,” I am beginning a short series closely connected to a musical work by Harpa Dei.
Harpa Dei seeks to bring the words of our Lord Jesus to people through Gregorian chants. To this end, they will publish short videos on their channels. I am very happy to support this endeavor with my own brief meditations as part of the “Father’s Reflections,” using the words they have chosen. Since Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9b) and “I speak of what I have seen with my Father” (John 8:38), we also hear the voice of our Father in His words. Read More
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:13).
With these words, Jesus wants us to understand how natural it is for God to hear our prayers when we ask Him for the Holy Spirit. And the Lord uses an excellent comparison: even we human beings, who are prone to evil, do not turn a deaf ear to our children’s requests when they ask us for something good.
“If you remain united to your Father through prayer, you can do everything” (Inner Word).
What a wonderful invitation! It reminds us of St. Paul’s exhortation to pray without ceasing: “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Eph 6:18).
Sacred Scripture exhorts us time and again to persevering prayer, and the saints and masters of the spiritual life never tire of speaking of its importance.
“Cast off all your chains—they have long since been broken—and walk ahead in Me.” (Inner Word)
What is holding us back from moving forward on the path of following the Lord? It often seems as though invisible chains still bind us. Perhaps they are things we have long since brought before God, yet they still linger and seek to hold us back. Perhaps they are merely erroneous thoughts and fears that weigh down our path.
“As his Creator and Father, I feel the need to love man.” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
When we ask ourselves what the most concrete reason is for God’s great love for us, our Father gives us a wonderful answer in this phrase from the message to Mother Eugenia Ravasio. Since God is complete in Himself and does not need us for His own satisfaction, His love for us comes solely from His status as Father and Creator. As He Himself affirms, loving us is a necessity for Him. Thus, when God turns toward us, He always does so with the intention of loving us, communicating with us, and helping us understand that we are loved.
“I look with favor upon everything done for My glory: prayers, fasting, vigils, and other works of spiritual discipline. But nevertheless—even if it does not seem so to those of little faith—I am with greater affection toward My chosen ones, who, in their human weakness and frailty, trustingly seek refuge in My mercy.” (Words of the Lord to St. Gertrude of Helfta)
Once again, the theme of human weakness and limitation is addressed, which draws the Lord’s loving attention in a special way. Without diminishing the good works of ascetic practices—works the Lord regards with favor—His love inclines even more toward those who, in their inner distress, seek His mercy and trust in it.
“Just remain faithful to Me, and do not lose heart in times of weakness. I will put even these to good use.” (Inner Word)
It may not be easy for us to understand these words. How we would love to be strong and overcome all of life’s challenges. This may be especially true for people with a strong fighting spirit. But then our weaknesses emerge, serving as a constant reminder of the limitations of our human nature. We fall short of what we set out to do and are disappointed in ourselves.
“But when I pour out My grace upon people and receive it back from them, I prepare in My divine heart the honey of eternal sweetness.” (Words of Jesus to Saint Mechthild of Hackeborn)
Time and again, a loving soul may ask itself how it can repay its Lord for all that He grants it in His lavish goodness. And yet it remains true: “How could I ever thank You enough for all Your goodness?” We will always fall short of what God gives us. And that is just as well, for He gives in a divine way, and we remember that He is the source from which love flows.
“God forces no one. He accepts what is given to Him, yet He gives Himself fully only to those who give themselves fully to Him.” (Teresa of Ávila)
If, as St. Teresa of Ávila rightly describes, we are not compelled by God on our path of discipleship, then we must deeply internalize this truth. The saint speaks here of the great respect our Father has for human freedom. He Himself gave it to us as a great gift of love, setting us apart from the irrational natural world.
