One of the deepest struggles of the human heart is the fear of being alone
feeling abandoned in suffering,
unnoticed in pain or unheard in prayer.
Many people ask, “Where is God in my struggles? Does God see what I’m going through?”
Today’s readings give us a powerful answer: God is near to us always. He is not distant or indifferent. He sees, He hears, and He walks with us.
As I said last Wednesday during my ordination, I want to repeat again today that the Lord is near to us. He is present in the breathtaking coastline, the red earth, the forests, and in every living creature. But most of all, the Lord is near in His people—each and every one, created in God’s image and likeness. The Lord is near in our joys, our hopes, our griefs, and our sufferings.
In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present, feeding us with His own Body and Blood.
In Confession, He does not turn us away but welcomes us with mercy.
In Prayer, when we cry out, He hears us.
In Our Community, God is present in those who love, support, and guide us.
And most profoundly, God loves us—just as we are.
The story of Moses and the burning bush in today’s first reading is one of the most profound revelations of who God is. God says: “I have seen the misery of my people… I have heard them crying out… and I am concerned about their suffering. So, I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:7-8).
This passage tells us about our God who is not distant but deeply involved in our lives. He is a God who sees, hears, is moved with compassion, and walks with us. God is not indifferent to human suffering. The Israelites had been in slavery for generations, and perhaps many had lost hope. But God saw their pain. This reminds us that God sees our struggles, our hidden wounds, our fears, and our challenges. Even when we feel forgotten, He watches over us with love. Just as He saw the Israelites in slavery, He sees those suffering today—those struggling with sin, injustice, broken relationships, and hardships. Because God sees suffering, we too must open our eyes to those in need around us.
God does not just see suffering; He listens. He hears the cries of the oppressed, the silent prayers of the broken-hearted, and the pleas of His people. Sometimes, we may feel like our prayers go unheard. But this passage reassures us that God listens, even when He seems silent. Psalm 34:17 echoes this truth: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”
God is not a passive observer. He is personally concerned about human suffering. His love is not abstract—it is compassionate, active, and deeply personal. He did this in the Old Testament by sending Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. He did this fully in Jesus Christ, who became man, walked among us, and saved us through His death and resurrection. He continues to act today through the Church, through people who bring justice, peace, and healing.
God’s purpose is not just to free His people from suffering but to lead them to a better life—the Promised Land. This is an image of our spiritual journey. God does not just rescue us from sin—He calls us into a new life of grace, holiness, and deeper relationship with Him. Our God is relational. This journey requires trust. Just as the Israelites had to follow God through the wilderness, we too must follow Him in faith, even when the path is difficult.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree. The owner wants to cut it down because it has not produced fruit, but the gardener pleads: “Leave it alone for one more year, and I will dig around it and fertilize it.”(Luke 13:8). This is a beautiful image of God’s patience and mercy. He does not abandon us when we fall short—He gives us time, nurturing us, helping us grow.
Maybe you feel distant from God. He is still near.
Maybe you’ve made mistakes. God still believes in you.
Maybe you feel unworthy of His love. He is still caring for you, like the gardener tending the fig tree.
Lent is a time to recognize this patience and respond to His call to conversion. He does not ask for perfection—He simply asks us to turn to Him, to trust Him, to let Him work in our lives. Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium: “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness.”
God is not far—He is closer than we imagine.
Today, God speaks to each of us as He spoke to Moses: “I have seen, I have heard, I am with you.” As we continue this Lenten journey, let us open our hearts to Him. Trust in His presence. Rely on His mercy. Walk in His love.
“Lord, help us to recognize Your presence in our lives. Give us the grace to trust in You, knowing that You are always near.” Amen.