Do you talk to yourself in your mind going over whatever events have happened, are happening or will possibly happen? I have and do and believe this is a common thing that people do. But what if instead of talking to yourself why not talk to Jesus? Did He not say – I am with you always even to the end of the age?
The Bible is filled with passages that speak of God’s presence among us.
Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? – Ps 139:7
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means “God is with us.” – Mt 1:22-23
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate* to be with you always, the Spirit of truth,* which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. – Jn 14:16-17
I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” – Jn 17:26
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” – Mt 28:19-20
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne* said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” – Rev 21:3-5
We hear stories of the great saints that have had personal encounters of visions and conversations with Jesus and believe those encounters happened. But we tend to attribute that closeness to their great holiness. Not something for the everyday person. However after the Resurrection Jesus’ encounter with Thomas has a powerful message for us:
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
As the Bible says “…Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” Blessed are we to believe that God dwells among us and right in our inner being. In trying to talk with God I have often found myself thinking about God but not talking with him. I believe these are not the same. It takes me a bit of effort to remember to talk with him. Which also entails listening to God. To listen for that voice inside you and be willing to wait for it. However long that may entail.
Rote prayers are immensely valuable in opening ourselves up to receiving grace from God that will help us to think more of Him and talk with Him. The beauty of these prayers are beyond expression. The standard ones of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be have profound lessons when we take the time and attention to meditate on them. A favorite of mine is the Angelus. It celebrates the awesome wonder of the Incarnation. That God would become a man for us to suffer and die for our salvation. The prayer is intended to be prayed three times throughout the day at morning (6:00), noon and evening (6:00). Thus helping to keep God in our prayers and thoughts thru the day. It invokes the help of our mother the Blessed Virgin Mary. One can find the prayer at https://www.usccb.org/prayers/angelus .
One cannot talk of the presence of God in our lives without mention of the greatest gift of the Holy Eucharist. That we can receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus into our selves is the greatest thing we can do. St Faustina writes in her diary:
“The most solemn moment of my life is the moment when I receive Holy Communion…. If the angels were capable of envy , they would envy us for two things: one is receiving Holy Communion, and the other is suffering.”
Some other related quotes are:
“All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.”
– St. John Vianney, Cure d’Ars
“”It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass.”
– Padre Pio
Society today tends to promote the idea of a compartmentalized religion. It is something you do on Sunday and then you live in the “real” world the rest of the week. It is viewed as a private matter between you and God. But God is too infinite for such a view. He is everywhere and involved in everything that is not sin. We just need to ask Him to help make us aware of His presence.
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