We can get through this

This week, over four thousand people spent days trapped in a cruise ship reportedly flowing with excrement.

This week, over a billion Catholics -- and indeed the entire world -- was suddenly confronted with the historic uncertainty of a papal resignation.

Sometimes we live in days of peace and prosperity, sometimes we live in days of difficulty and uncertainty.

In today's readings, God speaks personally to each of us a clear and simple message:

We can get through this.

In the first reading (Dt 26:4-10), God has brought His people out of oppression and forty years of homelessness into a land "flowing with milk and honey."

In the second reading (Rom. 10:8-13), Saint Paul says "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

And in the Gospel (Lk 4:1-13), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself endures 40 days without food and then terrible temptations.

In all of these places, God is saying:

We can get through this.

With God, He and you and I can get through anything.

As today's Psalm (91: 1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) says:

Because he clings to me,
I will deliver him;
I will set him on high
because he acknowledges my name.

He shall call upon me,
and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him.

(Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me -- a sinner.)