“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:2) We sing this together in today’s psalm, echoing words that would not be out of place in today’s readings. Words that either Isaiah or Jesus could have said as they were persecuted, words that we may have said ourselves during our darkest times.

In today’s first reading, Isaiah tells us that he has been beaten, buffeted, and spat at as he calls the people out for their sinfulness. No one would blame him for accusing God of abandoning him after sending him to call his people to repentance. But instead, he insists that God is his help, saving him from shame and disgrace.

In the Passion, Jesus is abandoned by His closest friends. His disciples have fled. Peter is the only disciple who remains in the area, but he denies even knowing Him. None of them follow Him to the cross. But Jesus has prayed to the Father throughout His life and He prays to the Father throughout the Passion, in the end commending His spirit into God’s hands.

Like Isaiah and Jesus, we can trust that no matter how difficult our trials are and no matter how alone we may seem to be, God will never abandon us. God is always just a prayer away.

When have you felt abandoned? At those times, have you turned to God in prayer?

—WeCelebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

¿cuándo Te Has Sentido Abandonado?

“Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?” (Salmo 22:2). Cantamos esto juntos en el salmo de hoy, haciendo eco de palabras que encajarían perfectamente en las lecturas de hoy. Palabras que Isaías o Jesús podrían haber dicho durante la persecución, palabras que quizás nosotros mismos hayamos dicho en nuestros momentos más difíciles.

En la primera lectura de hoy, Isaías nos cuenta que ha sido golpeado, abofeteado y escupido mientras reprende al pueblo por su pecado. Nadie lo culparía por acusar a Dios de abandonarlo después de enviarlo a llamar a su pueblo al arrepentimiento. Pero, en cambio, insiste en que Dios es su ayuda, salvándolo de la vergüenza y la desgracia.

En la Pasión, Jesús es abandonado por sus amigos más cercanos. Sus discípulos han huido. Pedro es el único discípulo que queda en la zona, pero niega siquiera conocerlo. Ninguno de ellos lo sigue hasta la cruz. Pero Jesús ha orado al Padre durante toda su vida y le ora durante toda la Pasión, encomendando finalmente su espíritu en las manos de Dios.

Al igual que Isaías y Jesús, podemos confiar en que, por difíciles que sean nuestras pruebas y por muy solos que parezcamos estar, Dios nunca nos abandonará. Dios siempre está a una sola oración de distancia.

¿Cuándo te has sentido abandonado? En esos momentos, ¿has recurrido a Dios en oración?

—WeCelebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1