A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[471] Ephesians 1:11-14  Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13 Luke 12:1-7

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.  Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  Do not be afraid.”

Once, as a little girl, I tried to count the hairs on my head.  Now, as someone who was blessed with a head of unruly curly blond hair, I feel no explanation is necessary to account for my counting failure.  As it stands:  God-1, Savannah-0.  Needless to say, after my defeat, this Gospel passage has never ceased to illustrate the immense extent of God’s love for me.  Not only would God have to go through each individual hair on my head, but he would also have to brush this mess first!

It’s a hard thing for me to think about.  How can I convince myself that God loves me?  I can say the words: “God loves me”, but do I know it?  Do I believe it?  It’s (God’s love) the biggest gift I’ve ever been given…do I receive it gracefully? This Gospel sure helps form the beginnings of hope in God’s love.  It is no mistake that Jesus tells us how beautiful we are to him and then concludes the passage with: “Do not be afraid.”  If we can catch glimpses of how much God loves us, we can live in joy.  This love casts out all fear, all despair, all worry. 

When we believe even a drop of God’s love for us, our whole lives are illuminated.  It is impossible not to shine.  So today, let us pray for the grace to know just how loved we are by God (and to rejoice in it). 

You are beautiful and loved