An unexpected sign of God’s love

I walked into mid-day Mass grateful for a few minutes of peace. It had been a busy morning, and my mind was running through others’ intentions—and a few of my own—as I slipped into the pew.

Some days feel heavier than others, and this was a heavy day.

But going to Mass often gives me a sense of peace. I never know whether that might come while listening to the readings or the homily, while watching the Consecration, or when exchanging the Sign of Peace with a wave to friends and strangers across the chapel. I always leave feeling a little better than when I arrive.

On this day, though, I had the most beautiful and unexpected experience.

I was wearing a mask, and as I stood for the Gospel, I realized my glasses were fogging up. I happened to glance up at the church ceiling, and I noticed that the lights hanging down had circles of rainbows around them. Without the moisture on my glasses, I would never have seen them. Others in the church probably couldn’t see them unless they were wearing foggy glasses too. But the rainbows were there—a small gift from God. I just had to be ready to see them.

A rainbow is a promise, a sign of love. And these rainbows felt like a special present just from God, a little sign, a hand on my shoulder, reassuring me that He sees me, He knows me, and He loves me.

And I had to smile.

How many times have I worn a mask into Mass and never noticed anything unusual? Are the rainbows always there—or only when I’m ready to see them? From now on, I’ll be looking for them. And I’ll keep looking for small signs of God’s love in unexpected places.

I hope you will, too. And I hope you’ll find one today.

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