Thirty-Second Saturday of Ordinary Time

The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders. For they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.

There are times in our lives when all of us feel cornered. It seems the walls are closing in and at any moment we might be overcome by ill-fortune or even our enemies. However, if we trust in God, then we will have a peace in our hearts that no trial or suffering can touch because we know God is with us. And when He shows His Love and Mercy, He can split the waters of despair around us and open the way for our escape. He gives us shelter and delivers us from evil. With God on our side, we are never truly trapped because He is willing to break our bonds and release us. It may not be in this life, but it will happen and we should take great comfort in knowing He will never abandon us.

Are there areas of our lives where we feel cornered and helpless? Do we pray to God for deliverance from these trials? In what ways do we help others out of their difficulties?

O Lord, you are our hope, our shelter, and our deliverer.

Amen.