Driftwood log casting shadow upon the sand, Nehalem Beach, OR USA
Walking along the beach I noticed an unusual shadow cast by an equally unusually shaped driftwood log, the shadow of an angel with a heart appeared to be behind a man bending down in prayer. It reminded me that we are never alone. The love of God is always with us, in layer, upon layer, of love.
God’s love is found in friends, family and neighbors who are Christ’s representatives of his love on earth. God’s love is found in creation, the loving gift of our heavenly Father to all humankind. God’s protective love is present in the prayers of our Guardian Angels, our special personal representatives that watch over each and everyone of us. God’s love is found in his Holy Spirit, that dwells within every Christian heart. God’s tender caress is found in Mary, our spiritual mother and the mother of Jesus. God’s love is shown in the constant prayers of all the angels; and also, all the saints that have walked before us. God’s love is present in the gift of the blessed sacrament, where we encounter the love of his only begotten son, Jesus. God’s love is given to us in the Holy Scriptures, that teach us about his love. God’s love is found in his forgiveness and our forgiving of each other. God’s love is found in his Church that holds his love close to its heart. God’s love is found in the hope and faith that dwell within all our hearts. God’s love is found in every act of generosity shared.
These layers of love point to the mystery of who God is, God is love and God desires nothing more than for each of us to participate in the love that he is.