Distress is the word that stands out for me in today’s readings. Jeremiah cried out to the Lord in his distress. Jesus would have felt distressed when people kept asking him for signs in spite of having experienced signs already. Most of us have experienced stress in our lives and we remember the times we cried out to the Lord. He was our only hope. Sometimes it felt like we were alone in our distress, but in his Word God assures us that he is close by. God is a defence for the helpless, a defence for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm and a shade from the heat. God will protect us. Whatever the stress might be in our health, family, finances, or other situation, we need to remember that God knows the way to protect us in our distress. Let us take time out to seek the Father as Jesus did. At Holy Mass, after the Lord’s Prayer we pray: “may we be safe from all distress”. Our Lord honours that prayer and grants us peace and freedom.

PRAYER: Abba Father, deliver me from distress. Amen.