Category Archives: For Contemplation

Many essays here are Food for Thought for your enjoyment.

Where are You God?

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Where are You God?

Though his shouts were not heard by anyone except himself, the man screamed again and again, “Where are you God?”  Again and again his tortured soul pleaded with frantic urgency, “Where are you God?”  Challenging God, he confronted God, “You promised to be with me always. Where are you now that I really need you?” No answer! Frustrated, he heard a voice saying to him, “There is no God, so why waste your time pleading to Him who does not exist?”  For an instance the man thought, “ Maybe the voice is right and there is no God.” Yet the man knew that God had indeed been involved in his life. But he now began to wonder where his God is when his need is so great. Could the voice be correct and there is no God and the man is truly left on an island, alone and isolated without any hope.  In his lonely self introspection, he wretchedly wondered if this life with its troubles and turmoil was all that there is….no heaven, no judgment, nothing but nothingness after this life. The thought that God did not exist and what that would mean was too daunting and frightening for him to accept. But where was God?

Finally, quietly, assuredly, and comfortingly, he received an answer. “Why are you screaming so? I am with you always. Just look around and you will see me. I am in you and in all people and things. Only you can stop me from being with you, when you reject me. Even then I will welcome you back when you ask for our reunion. Fear not, there is nothing on earth that can take me away from you, except you. I love you too much to abandon you; I created you out of love and desire to have you unite with me when your earthly life is concluded. Fear not, my love is always with you, even when it seems not to be. It is especially with you in your times of trouble. Remember I am Love. It can never be taken from you, only you can reject it.”

The man began to feel consoled, knowing despite all of his problems and disappointments that God does indeed love him.  In a final message of consolation, he heard God say, “Trust Me. I am always with you in all circumstances. I will help you manage any issue facing you. Trust Me!”

Friends in Truth

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Friends in the Truth

Drinking their coffee slowly, savoring each sip of their drinks, the two men in their late 20s were enjoying their discussion about truth and God. One was of average height, slight of built, but not thin, with a strong wiry appearance, he might be an athlete. His sharp blue eyes spoke of intensity and commitment. Together with his athletic posture and the intensity in his eyes, his demeanor spoke of a vibrancy that could express itself in emotive, though controlled, outpourings. Yes, he must be intense, emotive, but in control of his very self. A woman might see in him a perfect lover….but he could not be used by her. Any relationship with him would require a careful, thoughtful handling. He might be a volcano, but one who could thoughtfully control himself.  Yes, a lover, but one who could be had by only one.

The friend, who was sharing time with him, enjoying the coffee and conversation, was quite tall; he was overweight, but not fat. Possessing an unathletic posture, his slumped shoulders indicated that he may have spent many hours leaning on a desk reading books and writing detailed accounts of his thoughts about the contents of the books. His clear, contemplative brown eyes indicated a mind that paid attention to details and a willingness to question what he had read. The emotive explosive countenance in his friend was not to be found in him. He was a thinker, one who noticed every detail. He could be very aggressive and combative when he was challenged by a lazy pseudo thinker. No one could compete with is mental acuity. A woman might not be attracted to him. Yet he was also a lover. He and his friend, very different in so many ways, loved the same person…intensely so.

They both loved the same person, yet not in a competitive manner. They came to their love via different routes; one the mystic lover, the other the contemplative lover. Both loved with great intensity; they reached their state of loving through different avenues.  Each loved the object of their affection without any qualification; there was no hesitation in their commitment to one loved. The mystic and the thinker had as the object of their love and devotion- Jesus Christ, God.

It is true that many people come to love God through very diverse paths. There is no one personality type that arrives at Jesus Christ, God. Jesus founded His Church to be the avenue to Him and His Father for all types of persons. He only asked for two things – Love for God and love of one’s neighbor .Additionally, He left man His Church as the teacher and guide for all generations.

Love of God and neighbor with a faithfulness to His Church’s teachings on faith and morals are the marks of all devoted Catholics. They are the basic, indispensable requirements to be Catholic.  No compromises are allowed! The two friends, the mystic and the contemplative, shared this vision of faithfulness and love for Jesus and His Church.

Be faithful!