July 19th, 2015 - The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage." - Psalm 23:4

The Lord is at your side. Stop and meditate upon that fact for a moment. The Lord is at your side.

What an incredible mystery of Love! And as one's faith in this mystery grows, fear diminishes. What need is there to be nervous if God Almighty, the Lord Most High, is standing with you?

This idea is truly the Gospel message in a nutshell. The whole purpose of Jesus' life, suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension was to bring God into a most intimate union with us. As we hear in Matthew's Gospel (1:23), the Angel told Saint Joseph that Jesus was to be called Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

But, the fact that God is with us does not mean that our lives will be easy. He never promised us prosperity, but He did promise us peace. He never said that we would be without hardships, only that we would never be without Him. He never said there would be no dark valleys, only that we would never have to travel them alone.

The Lord merely asks us to trust Him and let Him guard and guide us. Such faith is what has made simple men and women across the centuries into great saints.

How else could Saint Paul have survived so many persecutions and shipwrecks? How else could Saint Augustine have overcome his vices?

How else could Saint Francis Xavier have set sail for unknown lands in hopes of saving souls for Christ? How else could Saint Kateri Tekakwitha have stood up for the Truth while suffering at the hands of her own native people?

Indeed, it was only through their faith in the God "who is with us" that they found the courage and strength to endure these struggles. The Lord was with these men and women, and He is with us too. He is at your side now and will remain there when times are tough. Above all, take comfort in this truth: even when your faith fails the Lord will still be faithful to you. His love never fails.

Therefore, do not be afraid. Have courage, and as Saint Ignatius of Loyola said, "Go, and set the world on fire!"

Lord Jesus, increase our faith in you. Give us strength in times of trial and help us trust in your abiding presence, even when we travel through dark valleys. Make us effective servants to your people and profound witnesses of your Gospel. Amen.