felt God’s LOVE even in the midst of my darkest and most difficult days last month. The LOVE of GOD was real and present through my Christian Life Community.

CLC was not only a gift for me in the last six weeks — it lifted me up, filled me with joy, stood by me, kept a close watch over me, loved me without judgment, loved me beyond my own limitations, and loved me without even knowing me or ever having seen me.

🌿 Love in the Midst of Uncertainty

Last month, I walked through moments of deep uncertainty and fear when my mother, who lives with me, suffered a fall that led to weeks in the hospital and in rehabilitation.

I could not foresee how this incident would reshape my life. Yet little by little — and by God’s gracious hand — my mother has begun to heal, and my family and I are learning to embrace the changes before us.

Love Through Community

In the midst of those difficult days, our regional assembly in South Florida was happening. I couldn’t be there — but I wasn’t alone.

Thanks to our spirituality lived in community, everything became easier and the burden lighter. My regional community embraced me with their companionship, joy, support, creativity, unity, and their deep desire to live the mission of loving and serving in everything.

✨ Love That Travels Across Distance

Then God made Himself present again — with His infinite love — through the National CLC over those six weeks.

Just when my heart was heaviest because I couldn’t attend the National Coordinating Council meeting in Arizona, they sent me a very special video greeting, wrote me a letter, prayed for my mother, and sent beautiful messages.

All this love from people I have never even met lifted me up, brought me joy, and brightened my days.

Love That Flows Through Us

Living in community has allowed me to feel God’s LOVE more closely and more intimately.

The presence of each CLC member enriches us, unites us, and guides us — in both our spiritual journeys and the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

Even when we have never met face to face, God’s love flows through us and finds its way into our hearts.

I am thankful to be part of CLC.

Author: Deidre Vivas, Damas Ignacianas S. FL

Lenten Reflections