Understand, you senseless ones among the people; and you fools,

when will you be wise?

The Lord will not abandon his people.

These words are clear enough. It is we who are the fools when we insist God has abandoned us whenever things happen that we don’t like.

God gives us scripture, including these words from Psalms. He also speaks through sermons and the words of the liturgy. God helps us through things that inspire and awe us. He gives us Saints that know what it’s like to live on this earth with its joys and sorrows. God gives us each other. That includes religious, psychological, and medical specialists. We can’t have heart surgery alone. Anointing of the sick, a positive attitude and hope, and a medical team (not single physician) are needed for optimum results.

When St. Elizabeth Ann Seton suffered illness and anxiety she listened to her doctor’s instructions. Her father was a prominent physician so she learned early to listen. Blessed Father Enrico Rebuschini listened to the superiors in his religious community when they took care of him as he suffered through a very severe depression. He was psychotic and still listened. That’s quite a feat. When he was well he used his talents to help those who were sick.

God gives us Himself in the Eucharist, whether we believe it in our feelings or not. Feelings can lie. Belief is a matter of choice.

Believe God will not abandon you no matter how you feel or what you think. Be the child Jesus speaks about when He says the one who is childlike will understand the things of heaven. Children don’t rely on their feelings. They believe in God simply because they are told it is right.

God says, “I will not abandon my people.” Believe that is right.

Scripture and Jesus lesson are from today’s readings– Psalm 94 and Matthew 11:25-27