Woven in Love: Discovering Your Beloved Identity
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Psalm 139:1-18
You have probed me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. You sift through my travels and my rest; with all my ways you are familiar. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, Lord, you know the whole of it. Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to reach.
Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of dawn and dwell beyond the sea, Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light”— Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are alike to you.
For you formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know. My bones are not hidden from you, When I was being fashioned in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them! Were I to recount them, they would outnumber the sand; when I awake, I am still with you.
Grace Prayed For
The grace that this scripture passage prompts the reader to pray for is a deeper and abiding sense of being truly known and loved by God, leading to an unshakable confidence in their unique identity and charisms, empowering them to evangelize naturally and joyfully in every encounter.
Reflection
This Psalm speaks directly to the deepest longings of my heart for intimacy with you. It paints a picture of a God who is not distant, but intimately involved in every fiber of my being. You have “probed me, Lord, and you know me.” This isn’t a fearful knowing, but a loving, understanding gaze that penetrates beyond my masks and imperfections. It’s the profound comfort of being fully seen and fully loved. When I rest in this truth – that I am known entirely by my Trinitarian God – a deep peace settles within me. This knowledge becomes the wellspring of my identity as your Beloved.
In this intimacy, you also reveal my purpose. “You knit me in my mother’s womb… I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!” This isn’t just a generic statement; it’s a personal affirmation of the unique design you have for me. At my Baptism, you infused me with the Holy Spirit and bestowed upon me specific charisms – spiritual gifts meant to build up your kingdom. Perhaps I’ve been too focused on what I lack, or how I fall short, instead of recognizing the beautiful, unique ways you’ve gifted me. This Psalm reminds me that you “foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.” My charisms are not random; they are integral to the person you created me to be, tools perfectly suited for the mission you’ve given me.
How do I take this message out into the world, allowing this love to shine forth in every encounter? It begins with truly believing that I am your Beloved, wonderfully made and perfectly equipped. When I meet someone, whether a stranger or a friend, I carry within me the knowledge of my own profound worth in your eyes. This understanding frees me from comparison, from the need to perform, and from the fear of rejection. Instead, it allows me to see the other person through your eyes, as equally known and loved by you. My charisms – whether it’s a gift of hospitality, encouragement, listening, teaching, or service – become natural extensions of this radiant love. If my charism is hospitality, I see every encounter as an opportunity to welcome someone into the warmth of God’s love. If it’s encouragement, I offer words that build up and affirm their inherent dignity. If it’s listening, I create space for them to be truly heard, just as you, Jesus, truly hear me. This isn’t about grand gestures, but about infusing every moment with the deep, abiding love I experience in my intimacy with you, allowing my true self, designed by you and gifted by your Spirit, to bless and serve those I meet.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post