“Always cling to me and go deep within yourself. There I am present” (Inner Word).
Whatever happens, and especially in times of turmoil such as we are undoubtedly experiencing today, the Heavenly Father offers us a shelter that can withstand all storms. Though churches may be burned and liturgies trivialised, though clear teaching and leadership in the Church may falter, the Lord has pitched His tent within us. There He is at home and there we can always go. There is the castle where we are safe.
The Lord never leaves us without His support and comfort. Let us remember how He led the Jewish people through the wilderness, how He sustained and strengthened the martyred saints in times of persecution, how He protects His own in the midst of hostility and rejection in wars and disasters.
Not only in times of danger, but also when we find ourselves in circumstances that do not seem threatening, we should respond to the Lord’s invitation to go inward. There He is always waiting to establish an intimate friendship with us and to strengthen us for whatever may come our way. In this way, we become more spiritual people who are not so intimidated by external circumstances that they lose their way, but who know that they can always cling to the Lord.
How wonderful it is to know that a loving Father dwells within us, that He is always waiting to delight us with His presence, that He never tires of listening to us and surrounding us with His tenderness! At the same time as He embraces us, He also entrusts us with His desires and invites us to go out with Him in search of souls in whom He can establish the work of His love. And then we will be able to ask Him what we can contribute, which will please our Father very much!