There are 18 parables in the Gospel of Luke. One of the shortest ones contains one of the most powerful messages.

Jesus set the example for addressing stress and fear.

God, my loving parent, made me, cares for me, and calls me by name. It’s up to me to answer the call. 

St. Bonaventure urges us to desire heaven, to long to be with God because that opens our hearts wider and helps us keep our final destination in focus.

Whenever I hear the opening verse of Psalm 42, I feel an inner longing for God. The words express for me a contemplative yearning to be one with the God who created me and who is my true home.

When I was younger, I learned a popular slogan that perfectly sums up this psalm: “God doesn’t make junk.”