During my prayer time this morning, I reflected on the beginning of a small book by Hans Urs Von Balthasar entitled "The Way of the Cross."  He begins by placing before us the remarkable truth that we exist. Yes, the simple, yet remarkable, truth is that we are!

Not only does God care enough to create us to be the unique and never-to-be-repeated person that we are, but He blesses our creation with the ultimate gift of free will. I was especially struck by this today as I realized anew what this gift of free will must mean for God. He knows that in allowing us to choose freely we will at times choose evil over good, and that such choices by ourselves and others will introduce suffering into our lives. Some struggle with why God would allow us to suffer if He truly loves us, but seen in the context of free will it becomes an even greater indication of His love. He loves us and longs for our free response of love. Complete and true love is always founded on a free choice.

This Holy Week is given to us as a sort of magnifying glass, meant to focus even more clearly the indescribable love God has for us. Let us ponder this love, soak it in and respond with hearts full and free.