Posted by Chuck Scherl
I was moved by the relationship and depth of several passages as we recited the Liturgy of the Hours at 5 AM this morning. The first two passages are from the Office of Readings for Monday in the Third Week of Advent. Isaiah 30:20-21 speak of God’s guidance:
“The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide Himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
This Old Testament passage illustrates the Blessed Trinity at work even before The Trinity was formally defined. The Lord, Yahweh, God the Father, provides sustenance in the form of Jesus and the Eucharist. The Teacher, Jesus, Emmanuel, Bread of Life, teaches how to love. The Voice from behind, the Holy Spirit, gently guiding us on our path and urging action.
The second passage, from a discourse by William of St. Thierry titled *On the Contemplation of God*, speaks about God’s first love for us:
“You first loved us so that we might love you—not because you needed our love, but because we could not be what you created us to be, except by loving you,”
and
“You know that this disposition could not be forced on our hearts, my God, since you created us; it must rather be elicited. And this, for the further reason that there is no freedom where there is compulsion, and where freedom is lacking, so too is righteousness.”
From the very moment of my creation, you kissed my soul and filled it with your love. I know you do not compel me to love you, you gave me free will so that I can love you freely, not so much for all the good things that you have given, but because you are God. And you have given yourself to me. And your Holy Spirit to activate and urge me to action. Lord, give me the courage and desire to always act the way you teach.
Later, Morning Prayer included the petition, “Give us unfailing gentleness at all times, toward everyone we meet”. This aligns beautifully with this message of love and freedom. It reflects the call to embody Christ’s gentleness and compassion, even in the face of challenges. This gentleness is the outward sign of a heart transformed by God’s love, urging us to see His image in everyone we meet. Psalm 95 enjoins me, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts”. Lord never let anything harden my heart, make it gentle and humble and willing, and never let me be parted from You.
This total self-giving love from the Trinity invites me to mirror God’s mercy and gentleness in my own life, loving others as Christ loved me. Through this unity, we are drawn into the heart of God’s life and mission, where true freedom and righteousness flourish.
Lord Jesus, soften my heart so that I hear Your voice today. Teach me to be gentle, even in the face of difficulty, and help me to see You in everyone I meet. May my love reflect your own unfailing love, and may gentleness be our response to a world in need of Your peace. Give us the courage to act gently and be a source of comfort and kindness to all we encounter. Amen."
