“for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all” (Romans 11: 29-32).  Paul is concluding his reflections on why not many Jews failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  Ultimately Paul is saying the reason remains a mystery.  But he makes an interesting turn here and focuses upon the opportunity that Jewish disobedience has created for us (the gentiles).  Paul can do this because in the midst of his uncertainty about the strangeness of history he is certain about one thing: the character of God.  God is merciful and desires the salvation of all!  We are most certainly in a time of uncertainty.  Nobody expected the closing of churches and the closing of much of the economy.  (I sure did not!)  And yet, we find our way forward.  Our current difficult times offer us the opportunity to realize again, what lasts and what does not.  Our Lord’s mercy lasts even when so many other things fail.  Should not that then, be our starting point?  Accept it for yourself and offer it to others.  I want to encourage you to remember that even when the current events of your life make no sense there is always one thing to which you may cling: our Lord is merciful and is on your side!  Have a great week.