We are all familiar with the phrase ‘ love hurts’, but what if one said that God’s love hurts?! Is this true?  If so then how can it be love?!!

Does God’s love hurt? Take a brief moment to answer this for yourself first…..

Yes! God’s love does hurt, not because in its pure essence it is hurtful but rather the fact that when the divine hits the human something has to give way and it’s not God!

John of the cross spoke of God’s wounding love, that love that pierces the soul and leaves the soul thirsting and pining for more, that infinite love that wounds  broken humanity in order to transform it, that firey love that burns through human pride, that requires a death to the desires of the world in order to open to the divine……yes, it hurts!

In fact God’s love hurts so much that Jesus himself speaks of our christian journey as one of sacrifice and taking up one’s cross, of dying to self!

However just like any goal that is really worth it, the reward is far greater than the sacrifice and there is immense internal joy in following the narrow road to heaven even in the middle of the sufferings and hurts! The hurts are never the goal but rather the obstacles on the road to the goal!

It is also consoling to know that while our journey to heaven here on earth may have many pains and sufferings that our reward is eternal life in heaven where there will be no suffering at all !

So yes, love hurts but hurts can lead to even greater love and ultimately to love Himself, God!

Ever wish that you didnt know God? That the people who don’t know him are far happier? Well I have!!

At times as christians we can feel restricted, like we are constantly watching what we say and do and are not free! We may well see others out partying and they may seem care free and having the time of their lives! We may feel like hypocretes!!

A few thoughts on this!

1. Many people look very happy when they are dressed up and out partying. They look so carefree! However one of the advantages of being involved in healing is hearing what goes on behind the scenes. Many of these ‘happy people’ suffer greatly with depression behind it all. Sometimes the wild nights out are just a momentary escape from a life of misery! Often we have nothing to envy!

2. Many of us christians lack joy because we can be too hard on ourselves. Our image of God deep in our hearts can be wrong. Often we can think God is very serious and maybe watching our every move! We haven’t seen enough of His humour, His joy and the power of the Holy Spirit. Much of these concepts come from our childhoods, our parents, teachers, catechists and priests all who were responsible for mirroring God to us! Sometimes they fell short and so we need inner healing in these areas!

So in conclusion, let us not envy those in ignorance but rather ask God to free our hearts of all false beliefs that take our joy away !

Father God, give us your humour!

What on earth is he on about this time? It almost sounds blasphemous to mention the word ‘sacrament’ and ‘ sinners’ together! Yet this very phrase has been coming to me for the last month!

The bible says that there is more joy in heaven for one soul that repents than for all those who don’t need to. It also says that God goes to find the lost sheep, all but leaving the 99 in danger (metaphorically speaking)!!

And so as God’s instruments here on earth isn’t it normal that He will send us to find lost sheep and that He will allow us to participate in His joy! And in any case, are we not all sinners anyway!

Recently I have met many new friends from all walks of life and I must admit that it is extremely rewarding. As we learn to love others we see all sorts of qualities in them and we recognise just how much God is merciful and loving.

Behind every murderer or whatever, behind every abortion, every broken marriage, every drug lies a life story, a person who had a mum and dad, a childhood…..Often I wonder if I might be worse than the lot of them only for the good upbringing and education I got and God’s saving hand on my life! If any of us.grew up in an in a ghetto what might the pain and turmoil of it turn us into?

And so back to my title, what better way to get to know God than to get to know his mercy and how better to understand than to spend time with people who need it so much!!

But for the grace of God go any of us!

Blessings from Medjugorge, Bosnia