“I pray…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Ephesians 3:16-17
Do you remember falling in love? That rush of excitement and joy! I had just started dating the woman who would become my wife, Rita, when a neighbor stopped me, asking: “Tim, what is that new spring I see in your step?” God hardwired each of us in His image so that we might be lovers, to be loved, and to love! God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe!
The poet Dante, at the end of The Divine Comedy, depicts a pilgrim in heaven beholding God’s love “with sweetness, harmony unknown, save there.” Contemplating the beatific vision, the pilgrim exclaims: “I felt my will and my desire impelled by the Love that moves the sun and the other stars.” Governments rule people through force. Religions rule people through guilt and through fear. But the King of Kings melts and leads our hearts through His love.
People in love often have their special song; just ask them! Lovers of God often have songs expressive of their love for God. Through the centuries, believers have sung their love for God and found their faith strengthened by the singing. Let yourself be more rooted and grounded in Christ’s love for you as you ponder these songs of divine love.
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
FAIREST LORD JESUS
Fairest Lord Jesus,
Ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX LITURGY
Enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart with
Thy love as I cry to Thee and say:
Jesus, Creator of those on high!
Jesus, Redeemer of those below!
Jesus, Vanquisher of the power of Hades!
Jesus, Adorner of every creature!
Jesus, Comforter of my soul!
Jesus, Enlightener of my mind!
Jesus, Gladness of my heart!
Jesus, Health of my body!
Jesus, my Savior, save me!
Jesus, my light, enlighten me!
Perhaps you have a favorite song about divine love: God’s love for you and/or your love for God. What might that song be? Why not sing or speak that song to God right now!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” Augustine of Hippo
