Wisdom 2:23-3:9
For God created us for incorruption,
and made us in the image of his own eternity,
but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,
and those who belong to his company experience it.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Embraced by Limitless Love
Today’s first reading is saturated with hope and deep faith in the God who created us in love and made us in his image. The powerful convictions expressed in this text are made possible by the resurrection of Jesus, showing us that death never has the last word. Without the eyes of faith all appears lost, but in the light of the resurrected Christ’s grace and mercy, a new reality emerges beyond the tombs of our lives. We are securely and comfortably held in the hands of our loving God and no torment will ever touch us (Wisdom 3:1). At some cognitive level we believe we are embraced by God’s limitless love, but it often takes prayer and intimacy with God over a sustained period of time for these profound truths and deep realities of our faith to sink into our hearts and touch us at the soul level.
—Carl Caceres, SJ, is a Midwest Province Jesuit working on a doctoral degree in higher education and doing spiritual direction at Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
We pray to you, O Lord,
Help us recall that you made us
in your image for eternity
Give us your peace that comes with the
confidence that we are held in Your loving hands
That you watch over us and shower us
with your grace and mercy
Let us abide with you in love
and in so doing, shine your light
and love to all your people
Amen
—Carl Caceres, SJ
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.