When, Lord, O when shall I Know?

When, Lord, O when shall I KNow?

The ominous question each one must learn before we shall ever understand the reasoning for this mystery of life that surrounds us.  How deep are the promptings that everyone must find the answer to some requisite that is at the center of man’s unfinished walk of peace?  What is this peace that confounds our journey?  It is at the center of our being that even the best is unable to uncover. 

For an intelligent release from the infinite desire of God’s plan that seems to remain hidden, we are expected to ask and listen to the Holy Spirit as he guides us beyond the cloud of mystery.  Within this mist that resembles a stage play allowing the players to come and go and not opening our eyes to what lies behind, the answers of these questions lies just a finger-touch of wisdom.  

Wisdom holds the sense of life in its hands as each one lifts the weight of justice off our silent understanding of the unknown that is common to man in his weaknesses.  “For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what man says.  Therefore no one who utters wicked things can go unnoticed, nor will chastising condemnation pass him by.  For the devices of the wicked man shall be scrutinized, and the sound of his words shall reach the Lord, for the chastisement of his transgressions; Because a jealous ear harkins to everything, and discordant grumblings are no secret.  Therefore guard against profitless grumbling, and from calumny withhold your tongues; for a stealthy utterance does not go unpunished, and a lying mouth slays the soul.”  (Wis 1: 7 - 11).

The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  (CCC 1830).

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God….If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.  (Rom 8: 14, 17).

We ask, and the answers are found in the Holy Spirit who leads, convicts, comforts, and sustains our drooping hearts.  For without this living person of God who resides within each soul the heading of, “When, Lord, O when shall I Know” would never come to fruition.  God knew this before he created us and planned the grace-filled ominous gift to dwell in each one of us.  It no longer remains a secret of exploration since the presence of the Holy Spirit never leaves our presence and is always there to be our friend in God.

Ralph B.Hathaway