GOD IS WITHIN HER
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” –Psalms 46:5
Today’s responsorial Psalm personifies the city of Israel as a female figure who endures with God’s help. The Psalms, however, pierced straight to my own heart.
A few nights ago, I made the most difficult call I have ever had to make – in the midst of all the stress of the current public health crisis. I witnessed the person I love most cripple under the pressure of their own mental health issues. I’m not a doctor; I called the cops. The cops took them away. I was strong. And then I cried.
In the moment, I did not “feel” God, but I also did not question, where was God? I responded the way I could. Later, came the spiritual confirmations. When I asked myself where was God, the response was: “God is within.”
I began to remember the times I spent in prayer, on retreat or daily life, opening myself to God’s grace. Thank God for the times I was weak and God made me strong. Thank God for the times I asked for that strength, to learn how God responds in the world. I pray that I have gleaned some insight, some sort of spiritual or muscle memory, in order to respond more closely to how God would respond, especially in times of crisis. In those times, I am reminded that I continue only with the grace of God. God is my stronghold, not only when I feel the presence of God, but also because God is within.
May we trust the God within ourselves as we maneuver especially the troubling times. May we trust the presence of God in others as we remain faithful to each other too.
Vivian Valencia