Millennial writer Marcus Mescher writes:

I’ll never forget the first time I held my son. After a long and difficult labor, his heart rate dropped and we nearly lost him. A traumatic birth twisted his head and neck, causing him great pain. After a round of tests and being tightly swaddled, his face was beet red from screaming. He looked terrified and helpless. The instant I cradled him in my arms, my heart swelled. I felt like the Grinch listening to Christmas carols coming from Whoville (whose heart grows three sizes); I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest, erupting in sheer delight for this precious child. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much love. In that moment, I had an epiphany: This is exactly what God feels for each and every person: unconditional love, infinite joy, endless pride.…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to put ourselves in touch with God who ceaselessly delights in us and whose will is realized through us. We pray to participate in the personal and social transformation ignited by this truth.

Take a moment to bask in God’s abundant, steadfast love for you.