The lectionary passages this week reassure us of God’s presence and care for us, even in the most difficult circumstances of life. The Acts text tells us that “we are God’s offspring,” and the Psalmist reminds us that God has not “removed his steadfast love from [us].” But John’s gospel puts it most plainly: “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.” In this installment of The Immediate Word, team member Mary Austin contemplates how those words can have great meaning for people who feel abandoned by the worldly powers that are ostensibly supposed to protect us.