Denying the Darkness of Death
How Deep Is Your Love?
Often when we are overcome with feelings of love, these feelings are associated with our spouse, our parents, or our children. We are committed to them, and our loyalty is unquestionable. Whatever we are called upon to do for them, we will accept the challenge.
Our relationship with our loved ones continues to grow over our lifetime. Our relationship with God is not a visual or touching experience. As for me, I have found that feeling God’s presence or touching God spiritually comes only after much time spent with Him.
I have ways of being with God, including His presence other than in prayer. Because God can see and understand my motivations, I believe He is with me whenever I extend myself to help someone in need, affirming my love for Him every day, including Him in all my important decisions in life, or immediately after receiving His body and blood through Holy Communion.
For example; While in the state of grace and just after receiving the Eucharist, while kneeling and covering my face to avoid distractions, I once experienced what felt like two hearts beating within my chest just a few seconds apart. On several other occasions after receiving the Eucharist, as I silently communed with Him affirming that He is my life, I have felt my throat constrict and my eyes fill with tears because of the overpowering sense of His presence within me.
We all know that Jesus has told us that when we live the Commandments, He is in us and Him. Spiritual maturity and following Christ’s lead have given me peace, hope, joy, and trust. Just as in the past, I have felt without joy or peace whenever I have sinned against God.
However, my spiritual growth and maturity did not come without showing God that He is the priority in my life today. “Showing God” my love and sincerity required me to spend time with Him, frequenting the sacraments, and just mentally talking to Him each day to let Him know that He is an important part of my everyday life and choices.