"God is with us."

I sometimes ask my students to remember a time when they were absolutely terrified.  I ask them to remember all the details of the occurrence, what the circumstances were, how they reacted, and what was at the root of their fear.  Then I ask them to remember what helped calm them in the aftermath, or how they eventually moved through the fear to some restored sense of peace.  It is an exercise all too familiar for most of us after the terrorism in New York and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 11.

"Presence" is usually the answer.  Whether it is a parent, a friend, a neighbor, a sibling or some other relative, generally, someone comes along in a time of crisis to be with us, to sit with us, to hold us and reassure us simply by being there.  Nightmares and night terrors that frighten small children, and disasters such as the one that befell us as a nation on September 11 require the presence of others to help us cope with the fear and pain.  What is more sacred in the context of human suffering than presence?

Today's reading from the prophet Zechariah shows us an astounding vision of unity among peoples of many cities and nations who seek to join the people of Israel because they have heard that God is present among them.  God's holy, unutterable Name was revealed to Moses as "the One Who is," or "the One Who is present."  It is certainly God's greatest gift in the context of human suffering that God is with us always.  God does not abandon us in our suffering; God suffers with us.

As a child, I found some consolation in my daily prayer asking for the intercession of my guardian angel.  I imagined, much like the "Family Circle" cartoon children, Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, and P.J., that my guardian angel was a larger copy of me, with wings.  I also thought my angel was male, probably a lot like my older brothers, although my older sister could have fit the description.  I had a sense of solace knowing that God had designated a heavenly protectorate for me, that I was not alone when it was dark, or when I was afraid.  I said my guardian angel prayer with the assurance that my angel was with me "to light and guard, to rule and guide" me in my daily life, to "commit me to God's love."  It was nice not being alone.

It is no wonder that Jesus taught us to look upon our relationship with God as our loving Father, and that we come to God as little children, trusting, innocent, needing God's care and love and presence.  I look for the "least" among us, the little ones, the children, the sick and the poor, the despised, the widows and orphans, and the suffering and dying to teach me about what it means to be God's child.  I am amazed that these little ones have no need to be the best, the first, or the greatest because they are content to simply sit in God's lap.

These days after that devastating Tuesday, it is good to sit still, to be content with our powerlessness, to be compassionate toward those in need, and to know with all certainty that God, our God is with us.

We thank You, Lord for Your presence.  We thank You for revealing Yourself to us in others, and for the protection of our guardian angels.  O God of all hope and consolation, we place our trust in You.  Amen.