Living in the Presence of God - Part 1

Living in God’s Presence – Part 1

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         What does it mean to live in God’s presence?  First, it means acknowledging that God exists.  Second, it means a belief in the Holy Trinity.  We must believe in God the Father, God the Son who is Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit who is the love between the Father and the Son.  The Holy Spirit is also the consoler and paraclete.  Once we acknowledge the truths of our faith, third, we must invite the Triune Godhead into our lives every moment of our life.  What can we expect when we invite God into our lives?  We can expect peace and contentment and above all change.

         Instead of thinking only about ourselves, we begin to think about others.  We begin to see the hungry not just as human beings.  We begin to see them as extensions of Jesus Christ.  If we saw Jesus on the street today as a hungry man, wouldn’t we feed Him?  If we saw Jesus in need of clothes, wouldn’t we clothe Him?  If we saw Jesus in the humanity of a sick or elderly person in a nursing home, wouldn’t we visit Him?  If you are truly Christian, you would drop everything especially for family members and take care of them.  Too often, we leave our elderly parents in nursing homes without lifting a finger to visit them and share our time with them.

         If we saw Jesus in everyone we met, we would offer a kind word, hold open a door, and just be a gentle human soul to others.  Remembering that we are also cracked vessels, meaning that none of us are perfect; we would forgive others especially members of our own family of all the grudges that we hold.  We would not want to hurt another soul.  Keep that in mind the next time the entire family sits down to dinner.

         As for me, it is Christmas morning at 5:30am when I am penning this article.  The only present that I received this Christmas was the Risen Jesus in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Christmas vigil Mass on Sunday.  This is the best Christmas gift any man or woman can receive.  This is the summit of our faith.  Please do not feel sorry for me.  The Holy Eucharist is more than sufficient for me.  It is the greatest gift given by a most gracious God.  My hope for you is that you find the Risen Jesus on the day that we celebrate his birth as sufficient for you also.  This is the greatest gift that I can give to you.  Merry Christmas.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise. Amen.