God’s Presence and Absence – A Reflection

I shared the quote below from Thomas Merton on July 26, 2021. Once again or spoke to my heart today.

God, Who is everywhere, never leaves us. Yet He seems sometimes to be present, sometimes to be absent. If we do not know Him well, we do not realize that He may be more present to us when He is absent than when He is present. — No Man Is an Island (p. 250)

This has been a difficult week for Denise, her brother, and me as we walk this journey with our Dads. To be honest, I have felt the “absence” of God a lot this week. Yet my friend, brother, and mentor, Fr. Louis (Thomas Merton’s chosen name when he joined the monastery, The Abbey of our Lady of Gethsemani) has spoken to me often in the midst of darkness and struggle.

I am thankful for the community of faith, who continues to walk with us through the Valley of the Shadows. So many are praying with us and for us. So many are on this journey with us.

Not only is God present when She may feel absent to me; She is fully present in my dear family of faith ❤️

For this communion of Saints I am forever grateful! You are present to us, O God, in the Communion of Saints❣️🌹