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Echoes of Eternity: My Life in God’s Unwavering Love
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures forever; Who alone has wrought great wonders, for his mercy endures forever; Who made the heavens with understanding, for his mercy endures forever; Who spread out the earth above the waters, for his mercy endures forever; Who made the great lights, for his mercy endures forever; The sun to rule the day, for his mercy endures forever; The moon and stars to rule the night, for his mercy endures forever; Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his mercy endures forever; And led Israel out from their midst, for his mercy endures forever; With a strong hand and outstretched arm, for his mercy endures forever; Who split the Red Sea in two, for his mercy endures forever; And led Israel through its midst, for his mercy endures forever; But hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for his mercy endures forever; Who led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endures forever; Who struck down great kings, for his mercy endures forever; And slew powerful kings, for his mercy endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his mercy endures forever; And Og, king of Bashan, for his mercy endures forever; And gave their land as a heritage, for his mercy endures forever; A heritage to Israel his servant, for his mercy end forever; Who remembered us in our low estate, for his mercy end forever; And freed us from our foes, for his mercy end forever; Who gives food to all flesh, for his mercy end forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his mercy end forever.
Grace Prayed For
The grace to experience a profound and joyful union with the Triune God, recognizing His constant self-giving in our lives.
Reflection
Oh, beloved soul, let the ancient refrain of Psalm 136 echo deep within the chambers of your heart: “His mercy endures forever.” What a profound declaration! This isn’t merely a statement about God’s past actions, but a pulsating truth that resonates in the present moment and stretches into eternity. This psalm is a magnificent testament to the very heart of God, a heart that ceaselessly pours itself out, relentlessly gives itself to you, to me, to all of creation.
Consider the panorama of wonders unfurled before us in these verses: the majestic heavens, the foundations of the earth, the blazing sun, the quiet moon and stars. Each a testament to the creative power of a God who doesn’t just craft, but gives – gives light, gives life, gives order. And then, the narrative shifts to the dramatic rescue of Israel, a people oppressed, remembered in their “low estate.” This is not a detached, distant deity, but a God who actively intervenes, who reaches out with a “strong hand and outstretched arm” to liberate, to lead, to protect.
But this isn’t just a historical account; it’s a living parable of Jesus’s love for us. Think of how Jesus, the very embodiment of God’s enduring mercy, gave Himself completely on the cross. He didn’t just offer us a path to freedom; He became our freedom. He didn’t just offer forgiveness; He is our forgiveness. His entire life, from the incarnation to the resurrection, is a continuous act of self-giving, a testament to the unwavering truth that “God gives himself to me.”
This personal surrender of God in Jesus is the bedrock of our union with Him. When we pray for the grace to rejoice in this union, we are not asking for something new to be given, but for our eyes to be opened to the reality that it already is. Jesus has loved me into existence, He has loved me through every triumph and every stumble, and He continues to love me with an intimate, unwavering devotion. This is the heart of the Trinitarian God: a communion of love so perfect, so complete, that it overflows and invites us into its very embrace. The Father gives the Son, the Son gives Himself, and the Holy Spirit is the bond of this unending love, drawing us into this divine dance.
My life has been utterly transformed by this truth. The realization that Jesus has poured Himself out for me, not because of what I’ve done or failed to do, but simply because of who He is – Love – has shattered my illusions of self-sufficiency and replaced them with a profound sense of belovedness. It’s in this knowing, this deep-seated conviction that “God gives himself to me,” that true intimacy flourishes. It’s a relationship not built on performance, but on receiving. It’s a quiet resting in the knowledge that I am cherished, pursued, and eternally held.
This glorious message, this profound truth of God’s self-giving love, is not meant to be hoarded. It is a mission, a calling, to carry this boundless love into the world. If God gives Himself to me so completely, then my response must be to reflect that same generosity, that same boundless love, in every single encounter.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
In My Words: While not always explicitly speaking about Jesus, my language can reflect the hope and goodness that His love has instilled in me. This means offering words of encouragement, speaking truthfully with love, and sharing stories of God’s faithfulness in my own life when appropriate and authentic.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
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