The Lord is close to the broken-hearted: Ps 34, Reflection by Maria Cassia

“I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth, My soul makes its boast in the Lord, let the humble hear and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together...The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their cry.  The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  When the righteous cries for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. (Ps 34:1-4, 15-18).

As we look at our world, we sometimes wonder why evil people seem to proliferate.  Upon deeper recollection, we will see that they do not.  Murderers can run free for a while but later are caught and punished.  Liars are taken to court, slanderers are sued and tried.  Yes, no one escapes the law.  It may take some time, but wicked people goes to ruin.

The demise of the wicked deeds happens because of God’s justice which is alongside His mercy for the broken-hearted.  The homeless are close to God’s heart.  Jesus was born in a manger in a stable!  The Holy Family feels how it is to be rejected.

How about the depressed people?  God is close to their hearts, that’s why there are social workers to assist them.  When they are oppressed, God is in their midst.  He saves the crushed in spirit. He sends His angels around them and generally good people to assist them.  But, we have to cry for help because the Lord respects our choice.  Doing good is the right choice.  We fail, yet we follow Him.  “Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and all will be added unto you.”