Deuteronomy 33:12. Moses' blessing of Benjamin. As Moses was dying, he blessed each of the twelve tribes of Israel. "Of Benjamin he said, 'The beloved of the Lord, he dwells in safety by him; he encompasses him all the day long, and makes his dwelling between his shoulders.'"

We were just talking this morning about the line in Psalm 34 that will be read at tomorrow's Mass: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them." Someone pointed to this line and said she wished we could stay "encamped" with the angel of the Lord, but in our current crisis we are being pushed every day out of our encampment. We suggested that the encampment moves with us, but she said she's not feeling that right now. This blessing of Benjamin is the same thing - the Lord "encompasses us all day long."

His care and protection are with us always, even as he pushes us out of our comfort zone to do and say things we may not want to do or say. He is with us, his dwelling is between our shoulders - we are protected.