The love of God always accompanies us

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.

October 1st

Silent help

Who hasn't at some point in their life felt that their strength was insufficient? These are moments of helplessness, of profound vulnerability, in which consciousness collides with its limits, and then an unexpected lucidity emerges: the certainty that no one can fully bear the weight of life alone. Then the need to raise my gaze, to turn my attention away from my own suffering and open myself to a broader reality, arises. And in this inner gesture, often subtle but decisive, we discover the existence of an invisible web—a kind of subtle fabric that intertwines people, experiences, and circumstances—that not only envelops us, but also accompanies us, sustains us, and infuses us with meaning. This help, which is not always expressed explicitly, comes to us from life itself, with its mysterious ability to regenerate us, heal us, and set us on our way once more. These are not spectacular events, but rather discreet gestures, charged with human and symbolic density: a silent presence at our side in our hour of mourning, hands that care with tenderness, a caring gaze, a just word, an unexpected call that breaks the isolation, a gesture of trust when our self-esteem wavers. How many people around us have believed in us before we ourselves dared to do so! And how many times, thanks to that faith that has come to us, we have found the courage to resume our journey. Even the inner universe, so often eroded by doubt, disenchantment, or fatigue, can be reborn thanks to a meaningful encounter or a gratuitous gesture that makes us feel welcomed, acknowledged, loved. Then, moved by deep and sincere gratitude, the desire is born within us to reciprocate, to share that experience that has transformed us. And so, what we have received becomes a gift, and we ourselves become—humbly—a help to someone else.

September 30th

September 29

We commit ourselves to peace

Manifesto for Peace of the Focolare Movement.

September 28th

September 27

In audience with Pope Leo XIV

On September 26, 2025, Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán were received by Pope Leo XIV.