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Word of life

Who hasn't felt at some point in their life that they can't go on? This is what happens to the author of Psalm 121, who is going through difficult circumstances and wonders where the help they need can come from. The answer is the affirmation of his faith in God, in whom he trusts. The conviction with which he speaks of the Lord, who watches over and protects each person and all people, expresses a certainty that seems born of a profound personal experience. "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Indeed, the rest of the psalm is the proclamation of a powerful and loving God who created all that exists and protects it day and night. The Lord "does not let your foot slip, your watchman does not slumber" (Ps 121:3), affirms the psalmist, eager to convince whoever reads him. Engulfed in difficulties, the author has raised his eyes (cf. v. 1), has sought something to hold on to outside himself and his immediate surroundings, and has found an answer. She has experienced that help comes from the One who thought of and gave life to every creature and continues to sustain it at every moment, without ever abandoning it (cf. v. 8). She firmly believes in this God who watches over the entire people night and day—he is “the guardian of Israel” (v. 4)—to such an extent that she cannot help but communicate this to others. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” “In moments of uncertainty, anguish, and hesitation, God wants us to believe in his love and asks us for an act of trust. […] He wants us to take advantage of these difficult circumstances to show him that we believe in his love. This means having faith that he is our Father and thinks of us. Casting all our worries on him. Placing them on him.”[1] But how does the help that comes from God reach each of us? Scripture recounts many episodes in which this is realized through the actions of men and women—such as Moses, Elijah, Elisha, or Esther—called to be instruments of God's concern for the people or for a particular person. We too, if we "lift up our eyes," will recognize the actions of people who, consciously or not, come to our aid, and we will be grateful to God, from whom all good ultimately comes (He who created the heart of each person), and we will be able to bear witness to this to others. Of course, it is difficult to realize this if we are closed in on ourselves and if, in difficult moments, we think of how to get by only on our own strength. On the other hand, when we open ourselves, look around, and lift up our eyes, we discover that we too can be instruments of God who cares for his children. We become aware of the needs of others and can be a precious help to others. "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Roger, from Costa Rica, says: “A priest I knew announced that someone was coming to see me to pick up some adult diapers that the solidarity group I belong to had offered him, knowing that one of his parishioners needed them. While I was waiting for him, I saw a neighbor who was going through a very difficult time walk by, and I gave her the last seven eggs I had, and some other food. She was shocked because she, her husband, and her children had nothing to eat. I reminded her of Jesus’ invitation: “Ask and it will be given to you” (Mt 7:7), emphasizing that he is attentive to our needs. She returned home happy and grateful to God. In the afternoon, the person sent by the priest arrived at our house. I offered him a coffee. He was a truck driver, and while talking, I asked him what he was transporting. “Eggs,” he said, and gave me 32.” Silvano Malini and the Word of Life team [1] C. Lubich, Conexión CH, 26-3-1987: Seeking the things above, Ciudad Nueva, Madrid 1993, p. 31.