May 27

“Beloved of God.”—Romans 1:7.

BELOVED of God, St. Paul calls his Roman friends. Beloved of God—there is music in the very fall and cadence of the words, like the bells of the Angelus ringing through an evening sky.

This is the penitent’s song. My iniquities are forgiven. My diseases are healed. My life is redeemed from destruction. The God of my salvation has crowned me, through Jesus Christ, with His tenderest mercies. Now and for ever I am beloved of Him—I who of late had exiled myself from Him so foolishly and so far.

This is the soldier’s security. Around me, within me, are enemies too strong for my feeble arm and my fickle heart. I have no might against the great army of my temptations and sins. But the Lord of Hosts is on my side, and the victory is sure. I am beloved of Him—I whose resources are nothing, of Him, who has all power.

This is the pilgrim’s staff. The road winds uphill all the way. There are many difficulties, many privations, many hardships. Shall I be able to persevere to the end? Yes, Jehovah-jireh—the Lord sees and provides. I am beloved of Him—I, the beggar, of Him, who is not impoverished by giving nor enriched by withholding.

This is the saint’s assurance. God is not the God of the dead but of the living. If He is mine and I am His, the grave will not end our fellowship. I shall see Him again. I shall dwell with Him through eternity. I am beloved of Him—Him whose years are from everlasting to everlasting, and to whom both my body and my soul are unspeakably dear.

“The very thinking of the thought, without or praise or prayer, Gives light to know, and life to do, and marvellous strength to bear.”

L