Finding God in everyday life experiences
Monday, March 14, 2011
*Maria Jose Mitsoulis
If I were to stop at the end of the day and ask myself, Where was God present today? Where did I discover God’s presence? I would probably say that God was present at every turn in my path, but that there were times when I overlooked God’s presence. I find this exercise very challenging, but also very helpful to recognize God’s mysterious presence in my life and in the life of others.
I give thanks to God for the conviction of knowing that God is always present whether I acknowledge it or not. I know by faith that God loves me and that God is present. I have learned in my own faith journey about the importance of listening to everyday life experiences to be able to connect them to my life of faith. This active listening helps me to live connected to God. As simple as it seems, this exercise brings meaning and purpose to my day-to-day life.
Every day, I can find God in so many ways. Just a few examples might include in a song’s lyrics, in the glow of a candle, in a rainbow, in relationships, in the funny expressions of my four-year-old daughter, in an e-mail, in a homily, in Scripture and so on. It is easy to find God when I am attentive – when I am watching and listening.
Father Lawrence Mick from St. Anthony’s Messenger Press, in the Catholic Update of July 2005, mentions one of the most important places where we find God in the Person of Jesus. This special place is the Eucharist. Father Lawrence mentions four ways in which Jesus is present in the Eucharist. First of all Jesus is present in the assembly, in the actual gathering of the community. We recognize Christ in the presider who invites us to share with him in offering worship to God through Christ. When the Word is proclaimed in our midst, it is Christ who speaks to us. Finally, in his very Body and Blood, Jesus is present in the Eucharistic meal.
May our communion with Christ help us to discover more and more God’s presence in our brothers and sisters who are with us every day.
Now allow me to ask you: Where did you find God’s presence today? Did you listen? Did this divine presence change the way you acted and interacted throughout your day?
Comments from readers
Thanks for reminding me about the many times I encounter God's Presence during my day. I am often struck by the movement of the March wind and remember how the Spirit of God blows in and through our lives during every season. The giggle of a student as they walk in the courtyard brings to mind the fruit of the Spirit - Joy. The world and our lives are truly filled with the splendor of God. Sometime we have our eyes closed and miss it.