From all their distress God rescues the just.
Distress! In the last couple of weeks, distress has become the daily bread for many people. The distress of many men and women, and among them a great number of children who are crossing borders fleeing in desperation from their countries of origin just to preserve their lives. A Venezuelan little child crying because she wants to go to class at her school in Colombia but the borders are closed. Still, her mother has confidence that things will get better because she has the conviction that God is with them, protecting them and preparing them for a better future.
The conviction of this mother echoes the voice of the psalmist who invites the people to glorify the Lord, the one who will deliver them from all their fears. The conviction of this mother proclaims that the Lord hears the poor and saves them from all distress. The conviction of this mother states that the Lord will confront the evildoers. The conviction of this mother reaffirms that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, whose hearts are crushed.
In times of distress, God’s presence and care manifest themselves especially through the community of faith. During this season of Lent one of the best ways to observe our fasting, our praying, and almsgiving is by offering support to those who are in distress. Our support and presence might be the daily bread God will offer to them through us.