Each of our names are known to the Lord.  He sees us in our inmost being, smiles upon us with pure delight, and says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (Jn 10:10)

Yet, often, we live on the margins, enjoying not the fullness of life, but subsisting on the crumbs of the banquet.  

Who are we, living on the margins?  We are the young, adrift in a world which has forgotten the truth of what it is to be human. We have forgotten what it is to be uniquely created by God out of love and for love. We have forgotten the God Who pours out all that He is in an eternal gift of self to us, promising that we are infinitely loved and capable of loving without limits.

Who are we, living on the margins?  We are women who find ourselves pregnant and alone, our dreams shattered, who wait to hear someone ask, “How are you?” We are those who yearn to have someone help us discover that indeed we are called to do something great with our love, and that the problem of pregnancy can become the beautiful gift of motherhood.

Who are we living on the margins?  We are those suffering after abortion, who feel perhaps numb, angry, betrayed, ashamed…  We are those who wait to experience the mercy of the God Who descends into our pain to find us, redeem us, wash us from our sins, shed light into our darkness, and lead us from death into life.

When we find ourselves living on the margins, let us hear again the Lord’s promise: “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10). Let us give Him permission to enter our desperate need and darkness. Let us open our ears to hear Him call, “You are Mine.  I love you!  Come, enter into life!”

Sr. Talitha Guadalupe
Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (United States)