Daily Retreat 03/29/06

2006 Mar 29 Wed: Lenten Weekday

Is 49: 8-15/ Ps 144(145): 8-9. 13cd-14. 17-18/ Jn 5: 17-30

From today’s readings: "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you!... The LORD is near to all who call upon Him.... the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation."

Forsaken or Forgotten by the Lord?

When times are tough, it’s easy to complain about practically every little thing, because even small problems, darkened with the shadow of larger problems, can seem so formidable. Following this tendency to its illogical extreme, people in adversities have been known to discount their blessings and even feel abandoned by God Himself.

Historically, this very sentiment has arisen in the heart of God’s chosen people in times of national calamity. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, to Zion’s plaintive complaint, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me," the reply comes from God, "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you!"

It is, in fact, especially in time of turmoil that our reliance on the Lord is most patently demonstrated. So whether we’re faced with personal afflictions and hardships, or whether it’s the more general dismay provoked by the prominent presence of Evil in the world, rather than seeing these as signs that the Lord has forsaken and forgotten us, we can and must recognize God’s presence among us precisely in these times we need Him most, for if He were not upholding us, we would already have been overcome by Evil’s adversities long ago. Indeed, "the LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth!"