Communion Confusion
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How many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!
— Matthew 23:37 NAB
He is there. Longing for us, wanting to show His love and care, yearning for relationship with us. But we are busy pursuing our own happiness and not paying any attention to Him. The sky is blue and the weather pleasant.
His outstretched arms are like wings wanting to gather His children close. We remain oblivious — deaf and dumb to his invitation.
So He stretched out his arms in a different way, one that required unspeakable anguish. And therein he saved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).
When will we turn and notice Christ — our Redeemer who is waiting for us?
PRAYER
Forgive us Lord for not desiring You. Do whatever it takes to rescue our wayward hearts.
QUOTE
Grace is necessary to salvation, free will is equally so; but grace in order to give salvation, free will in order to receive it. //St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153 AD)
THOUGHT
As a toddler stretches his arms upwards to be held, so we can reach up to Him, knowing we will always be welcomed into His loving embrace.
To see the original photo that accompanies this devotion, go to: https://www.lisalivezey.com/post/cristo-outstretched-arms
Lisa Livezey writes from Pennsylvania where she found her way to Rome via the Anglican Ordinariate. She is the author of Minding Mom: A Caregiver's Devotional Story (En Route Publishing) and contributes to the National Catholic Register, Guideposts books and devotionals, and more. Her weekly photo devotions found at lisalivezey.com/olivetree are viewed worldwide and utilized by Visio Divina prayer groups. Lisa is a wife, mom, and grandma, volunteers in church and civic settings, and serves on the executive team at Heart of the Father Ministries. She credits her husband with giving her name alliteration and sometimes on summer weekends can be spotted sailing the Chesapeake Bay alongside her spouse.
