Seeking the Beloved

St. John of the Cross beautifully said, “If anyone is seeking God, the Beloved is seeking that person much more.” This profound truth has been on my heart lately, especially as our seven-year-old daughter, our oldest, has prepared and received the sacraments this year.

Last year, we started a little tradition. Once a week, we head to daily Mass together, just the two of us. Afterward, we grab a donut or bagel and, with the best intentions, sit down to chat about what she’s learning in religious education—her journey toward the sacraments. But you know how life is. Sometimes we talk about faith, other times we drift into the funny things that happened at school, or we just sit in comfortable silence.

As her father, I’ve come to treasure these simple moments. It’s not about having deep conversations every time. It’s simply being with her. I think that’s what makes this time so precious to me—just being present. And in a way, this mirrors our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t always demand our profound insights or eloquent prayers. He simply longs to be with us, to spend time with us.

Like any good father, He seeks us first. Whether it’s in quiet prayer in the morning, in the stillness of adoration, during daily Mass, or while reading Scripture, He’s the One making the first move, gently calling us closer. The question is: how will we respond? Will we make time in our day to simply be with Him?

At the end of the day, God isn’t asking for perfection, but for presence. And like my weekly outings with my daughter, it’s in those quiet, sometimes ordinary moments that love deepens.