“You hate nothing that you have made…”

The image to the right is labeled online as “The Prodigal Daughter,” with no further attribution. It reminds me of Ruth Councell’s painting, “In the Father’s Embrace,” and what they both evoke is a feeling of being known while being held in total embrace. There is a visceral understanding that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ” and the vision comes full circle in Thomas Cranmer’s Collect for Ash Wednesday:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.