June 2025
“Ahavti Israel” – I have loved Israel. I love you.
Each of us knows how important it is to hear that someone loves me personally. It is not enough to hear it once; we need to hear these words again and again – especially when it seems that no one loves us. It may happen that someone who has lived next to us for many years shows no sign of love. In such moments, to hear God’s declaration of love – “I love you” – is like honey for the heart.
Especially in times of difficulty, it does us good to hear these words over and over again: “I love you.” We need not only words but also actions. We don’t just want to know that someone loves us – we want to love without fear. God takes care of us. Through the prophet Hosea, He says: “I led them with cords of kindness, with bands of love. I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.” (Hos. 11:4–5) God often wants to say that He loves us – because so often we do not feel loved. Sometimes, just fifteen minutes after Mass, the question already arises in us: “Is there anyone who loves me?” We need to hear the words “I love you” as often as possible.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus beats like a human heart. Every time it beats, it also says to us: “I love you.” God’s heart is eternal, which means we never have to worry that this love will come to an end. We go to church, read the Bible, belong to different groups because we want to be beloved children. Many times in life we face difficulties that lead us to ask: “Is God against me? Or is He indifferent?” We need faith in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which says: “I love you.”
Jesus died for us, and God forgave all. Blood and water flowed from Jesus’ side and wound – this was grace, and these were signs of grace. God has a path of salvation for every person. It is the path by which we can return to Him, even if we are sinners. We often hear people telling us that God does not exist. That is why we pray that we may believe that we have a Father in heaven. Perhaps we do not always believe in God – but He believes in us. God trusts us more than we trust Him.
Fr. Stanisław Zawiłowicz S.C.I.
More information about the Apostleship of Prayer and current prayer intentions:
https://katolinen.fi/pyha-isa-eli-paavi/paavin-rukousaiheet-eli-rukouksen-apostolaatti/ (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)