I took Hosea 2: 14ff. as today’s passage. It seemed to be the story of my life! It told of my betrayal, and how my Father led me back to Him.

Verse 21, “I will espouse you to me forever,” was very special to me. It took me back to this evening’s Mass, which was also very special. I arrived very early, and was praying when the other people began coming in. As the church began filling, I was given the visual image of another congregation forming along with the parishioners. Above us, the angels were gathering. While the people chatted, or stirred restlessly, the angels were in attitudes of profound adoration before the tabernacle. The total reality of His presence really hit me. For an instant, the imagery included a king seated on a throne where the tabernacle was. (1) During Mass, I was very much aware of His presence there. During the Offertory, He stood on the altar offering Himself for love of us. The angels shielded their faces at His glory. At Communion, I saw Him touch each person, infusing His essence into each one. When the priest laid the host on my tongue, He was there, flooding me with His love. The angel that stood beside Him rejoiced. Back at my chair, He just seemed to look down into my eyes the way a lover does his beloved. (2) This is the moment verse 21 brought back to me. He was with me again as my lover.

He drew me into a whole matrix of love. I was loved by Him, and because of Him. In return, I loved Him, and, because of Him, my loved spilled over onto everything and everyone. For most of the prayer period, we were together like this.

Then, He seemed to invite me to ask of Him, and I did, interceding for those who needed His loving attention. The time went relatively fast.

(1) Spiritual director: Nice gift.

(2) Spiritual director: insightful.