The Practical Side of Life With God

I certainly did not 'feel' any different, as the gurgling infant I was, when the water of Baptism was poured over my tiny infant head.  The only 'change' I probably looked for at the moment was the (WHEW!) diaper, and the only 'hunger' that was satisfied came by way of the bottle I slurped.

With the Baptismal ceremony complete, which really did bring me into the Divine Life of God, the routine of living this new supernatural life with God was to begin.  The transformation starts 'ho-hum' rather naturally.  No giant 'leaps of faith!' I crawled first, before raising my sights upward of the shiny object on the coffee table. I pulled myself up, with the support of a piece of furniture, basking briefly in the applause and cheers of loved one's. I then gingerly took a tiny step forward. WOW!  I then took another step, another step, and another! Oh wow, look-at-me, I am walking!

The transformation from infant to child brings with it more NO NOs than YAY YAY's. (Not unlike, I would later learn, went the words of a loving God, Father when he warned Adam and Eve not to touch the tree in the center of paradise)

Life continues with the start of school.  From Kindergarten through high school, the 'facts' continue to be fed, aided by the elementary learning to read, write, and do basic arithmetic!  WHEW!  U.S. History, World History, Geography, English grammar and vocabulary, specialty classes of Art and Music — and Gym strengthen the body, as academics enhance the mind. Alongside the academic learning, I was guided to Sunday School and learning about God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how to maintain the relationship with this 'unseen' God by way of the other Sacraments, besides that of Baptism, of Christ’s Presence.

After high school, I had the grace to pursue a specific vocation of graphic art and cartoon illustration.  MORE LEARNING of the how to do and what not to do’s!  Life is a whirlwind of coming to know and grow!

 The learning eventually culminates in stepping out of the teacher/student classroom and putting the knowledge attained to work for God, neighbor, and my own needs to attain the temporal goods of life. This is when the PERFECTING of the facts and FAITH come to be.  When the many AHA moments of real understanding are honed!

The patient and encouraging words of the elementary education teacher are quite different from the disgruntled 'boss' or 'supervisor' in an office with deadlines to meet and budgets to maintain. The friendliness of climbing the playground jungle gym with pals is quite different from the office environment of persons striving for advancement up the career ladder of success.  (Reflect back on Judas, betrayer of Christ) The laughter of friends in the high school hallways suddenly drowned out by a long line of horn-honking highway traffic and angry fists waving out the window in general frustration of being late to appointments or job. The idea of that 'unseen' loving God can become swayed and betrayed by co-workers who view the smile on the face as 'target practice' to vent their discontentment of adult life.

Where are the smiling workers as shown in the school textbooks, happy to be doing what they love?  And where is the HOLY and prayerful stature of faithful souls, as shown in the catechism, in the pew ‘praying with one Spirit of Christ’ . . . They mumble the prayers, barely sing the Hymns, and leave Mass right after reception of the Holy Bread in some cases. I was BAPTIZED into A DIVINE LIFE with God!  Life is supposed to be ‘paradise’ as long as I obey GOD and those Ten Commandments of God! Everyone is supposed to be loving, gracious, and gentle to me if I am loving, gracious, and gentle! What went wrong?  School seemed to have taught only of ‘the perfection’ ‘the praise’ ‘the yays,’ as when I stood up for the first time and decided to stop crawling.

Nothing went wrong. Baptism did bring me out of the material world and into God's world. With that, the learning and discerning of GO(O)D will always be here on earth until we are called back to our eternal home 'wholly' with God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit! No need to 'fear' the GO(O)D getting lost.  If Mary can temporarily lose sight of Jesus in the caravan of others, I need not worry but merely keep focused on what is above me and lean on the support of the Holy Church to stand firm 'in Faith.'  Specifically, stay nourished by Christ with that Holy Eucharist.  Weeds and Wheat will grow together in the same field, and where LOVE OF money is, there will come the 'tests to our faith in God.'  Hang on tight and keep the faith!