We reflected on the virtue of “Simplicity” as our theme in 2022. Our theme for reflection in 2023 is “Steadfast Love.”  This year, we want to learn what it means to be steadfast in loving as our God is in his love. We want to strive to let “Steadfast Love” become our way of being, living and acting and let it define who we are.

To be steadfast is to be firm in purpose, resolute, unwavering, tenacious, faithful and loyal.  Steadfast love is unconditional, unconquerable, unfailing, unchanging, constant, enduring, and eternal. This is the nature of covenant love, the nature of God’s Love and the nature and character of God.  The psalmist tells us that God’s covenant love is absolutely reliable because His Love is steadfast (Psalm 85). God cannot but love because it is his nature. Love is who God is.

“Steadfast love” is the English translation of the Hebrew word “hesed” (or chesed). It is primarily used to describe God’s love toward us. Many words are used to describe hesed – love, kindness, loving kindness, mercy, devotion, benevolence, unwavering love, grace, goodness, favor, tenderness, faithful love, etc. If we combine all these words, we may get close to its meaning.

Discovering the unfailing, steadfast nature of God’s love gives us the confidence we need during difficult and troublesome times.  The psalmist sings of God’s steadfast love, (Psalms 23, 27, 85, 103), the prophets proclaimed, and the patriarchs trusted in the steadfast love of God. This really is the amazing Grace that we must contemplate every day, and that is what we want to study and practice this year.

I pray for you, and I pray for all, who are welcoming the gift of this New Year 2023 with all its uncertainties. May God bless you and enable you to experience His steadfast, unfailing, unconquerable and unconditional Love, and may you learn to love as God does. I pray that you will be steadfast, faithful, loyal and unfailing in all the situations that you encounter. May this New Year be the most amazing, fascinating, marvelous, wonderful and joy-filled year for you and for those you love.  May God bless you with the richest and finest of his blessings.

"Be steadfast, persevering, my beloved brothers, fully engaged in the work of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58

Fr. Gus Tharappel, msfs