“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
Emmanuel: God is with us. Truly, He is with us, not only in times of spiritual joy, but most especially, most mysteriously, in times of spiritual suffering. As we begin our Lenten journey, Paul reminds us to see that truly in hope we are saved. Not a hope that sidesteps suffering or denies difficulties of the Christian life, but one that can conquer all things in the perfection of Christ’s cruciform love. In this Lenten season, let us truly come to embrace fully our penance and preparation for the joy that awaits us.
Who better to exemplify today’s reading than the Saints Perpetua and Felicity? Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that the saints “show us how light may be found even in the night and how we can … meet the future as men who hope.” As we reflect on the lives of these great martyrs, let us be reminded of what we are all called to as Christians, not only in Heaven, but also here on earth: perpetual felicity. Today, let us confidently proclaim to the world alongside the Apostles that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ: “neither death, nor life … neither things present, nor things to come.”
How are we making this perpetual felicity present in our daily life?
Lord, As we reflect on the lives of your Saints Perpetua and Felicity, allow us to imitate them in their confidence of your Love as we begin this Lenten journey.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Jorel De Guzman
Did you know...
Jorel De Guzman is currently a freshman at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana. Born and raised in Tampa, he is currently a parishioner at Mary Help of Christians. An avid basketball and football fan, who scarcely gets a sports take wrong, he roots for the Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Please keep him in your prayers as he discerns God's will in his life.
Laudetur Iesus Christus!
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