Day 16 (Mar 14)
– Take root in Our Father's love

Day 16 (Mar 14)
Take root in Our Father's love

Imagine a tree with no roots,
how can it sustain its upward growth?

“God loves each of us as if there is only one of us.”

- St. Augustine (Sermon, 2nd Week of Easter, John 3:16-21)

“Some (seeds) fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil…and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots.” (Matthew 13:5-6)

By the same token, our faith needs a purpose and continuous nourishment without which we may not persevere through troubles and persecutions. We need deep roots to sustain our balanced development, but how can we promote healthier and stronger roots of our faith?

It is written in the Psalms that there are two types of people: the wicked and those who meditate and take delight in God's way and His word. The ones who follow God's way and His word “are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:3) Wouldn't it be wonderful if we are like a tree with deep roots nourished by rich nutrients?

God's love and grace are always there to nourish us, like a flowing stream to plants, but we need to respond by hanging on to Him, even if it means letting go of other things.

It is our relationship with God, rooted in our Father's love, that is the foundation of our faith.

The more we trust in our Father's love, and the stronger our relationship with Him grows, the easier we may persevere through tough times, and bear fruits in due season.

REFLECTION:

What is feeding me? Am I hanging on to God or other things? Do I treasure any opportunity to be nourished by God's living water?

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, help me appreciate Your love more, soften my heart and remove my doubts.

As my response to Your invitation, Lord, I will meditate on Bible passages that reflect Your love for me, just as the psalmist says in Psalm 23: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.”
(Suggestions: Psalm 139, Psalm 23, Isaiah 43:1-7, and John 3:16)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.