I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption.

The question I find myself asking this morning, after reading from Today’s Liturgy, is a simple one – but I must add – a challenging one.  Do I believe?  Throughout all of time, this question has been asked of man.  Did Adam and Eve believe?  Did the people of Noah’s time believe?  How about during the time of Abraham and Moses; the people who lived to hear the prophets Elisha and Elijah tell of the glory of God – did they believe?  How about the people of Nazareth?  I believe we have many “prophets” among us today telling us about the glory and goodness of God – but just as so many people throughout the history of this world – do you – DO I – believe?  Pardon my french, but we, BUT I, damn well better.

Never in my life have I felt this kind of fear about the world and what is happening around me.  It is hard to listen to or watch the news because it is one stressful event after another to which I have no control over.  So in this time of stress and fear, what is it that I can do to help myself – to help my neighbor?  Again, as simple yet complex is the question I asked myself this morning about believing, the answer to alleviate all my fears and anxieties is just as simple.  Whether times are good or whether times are bad, I must proclaim to all I encounter that God is good; I must place all my trust in the Lord.  I will place all my trust in the Lord.  I have this confidence this morning as I write this post because for the past several years I have prayed daily to God to prepare myself just for this moment.  Don’t get me wrong, I am still stressed by all that the events surrounding this COVID 19, but if I turn to man to relieve my anxieties I will come up empty and wanting.  Only in God will I find rest.

Do something great for our Lord today.  First of all – BELIEVE. Second of all, trust in Him completely.  Third, find a prayer that gives you peace and say that prayer as often as you need to…I have a couple that I can offer you to use if your looking for one now…

This first one is inspired by St. Faustina…

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible,  look kindly upon us and increase Your Mercy in us so that in difficult times we may not despair nor become despondent but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.  Amen.

The second was inspired by my namesake – St. Francis of Assisi…

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;  

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.  

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.