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A brief reflection exploring God’s assurance of being with us in times of trial and encourages us to extend his love to others who suffer.

When battered by life’s storms, or immersed in a dense fog of suffering and uncertainty, we may feel alone and unequipped to handle the circumstances. Yet with words that echo through thousands of years into the corners of our hearts, the Lord says to us, “Do not fear: I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).

He speaks these words not as one who merely observes our pain, but as one who experienced immense suffering. And the very wounds that bear witness to his suffering indicate the essence of our identity and worth: we are loved by God.

Reflecting on the healed wounds of the Risen Christ, we see that even our most difficult trials can be the place where God manifests his victory. He makes all things beautiful. He makes all things new.

He is always with us. Jesus promised this when he gave the disciples the same mission he gives to each of us: Go.

Go be my hands and feet to a world enslaved by fear. Go to the woman who is unexpectedly pregnant and fears the future. Go to your friend who fears reprisal at work because he takes a stand for the protection of human life. Go to your aging parent in failing health who fears being a burden. And go to others, too, for their support.

We don’t need to have everything figured out. We can simply follow the guidance of Our Blessed Mother, the first disciple: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

Walk with each other. Do not be afraid to embrace God’s gift of life. Whatever storms or trials we face, we are not alone. He is with us.

“Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:20

 

Cuando estamos agobiados por las tormentas de Ia vida, o sumergidos en una densa niebla de sufrimiento e incertidumbre, podemos sentirnos solos e incapaces de manejar las circunstancias. Sin embargo, conestas pal a bras que resuenan a traves de miles de alios en los rincones de nuestro coraz6n el Senor nos dice: “No temas, porque yo estoy contigo” (Isaias41,10).

El habla no solo como alguien que observa nuestro dolor, sino como quien ha sufrido inmensamente. Y esas heridas indican Ia esencia de nuestra identidad y valor: somos amados por Dios.

AI reflexionar sobre las heridas sanadas del Cristo Resucitado, vemos que nuestras pruebas mas diffciles pueden ser ellugar donde Dios manifiesta su victoria. El hace
que todo sea hermosa, que todo sea nuevo.

El esta siempre con nosotros. Jesus prometi6 esto cuando dio a los discfpulos Ia misma misi6n que nos da a cad a uno de nosotros: Vayan.

Vayan como mis manos y mis pies a un mundo esclavizado por el miedo. Vayan a Ia mujer embarazada inesperadamente que teme el foturo. Vayan a su amigo que feme represalias en el trabajo porque dejiende Ia vida humana. Vayan a su madre o padre anciano que feme ser una carga. Y vayan a otros en busca del apoyo de ellos.

No tenemos que entenderlo todo. Basta seguir Ia gufa de Nuestra Santfsima Madre, Ia primera discfpula: “Hagan lo que elles diga” . (Juan 2,5)

Caminen juntos sin miedo de abrazar el don de Ia vida que nos da Dios. Sean cuales sean las pruebas que enfrentemos, no estamos solos. El esta con nosotros.

“Sepan que yo estare con ustedes todos los dias, hasta elfin del mund o”. MATEO 28,20