Yes, He is here, too

I have visited places in my life, in some cases, ones of great carnage. Let's say Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Dachau, etc. How about Ground Zero? (somewhere I still can not bring myself to go to. This happened in my lifetime; the others are history. The wounds are too fresh for me still).

I know God is in these places, even while the "battle" rages. Where do we find Him there?

Well, to start, no one goes to their deaths alone. Life is the only game -- the only one -- were we are guaranteed a positive outcome. If one is a betting person, do we know any other "game" where the outcome is 100% assured? Heaven is assured, promised by Christ. He tells the truth only. Guaranteed. One can't say this about anything else.

Suffering and death bring us closer to Him. Our strength within this experience glorifies Him. Through suffering comes sanctification. If we can take one billionth of His torment (His Passion, Death and Resurrection), it brings us closer to Him. I believe this should be something we all try to do, if only metaphorically.

Recently, I experienced, vicariously, if you will, a business decision that affected the lives and livelihoods of some folks who are very close to me. Financially, their lives could be potentially turned upside down. I can't really explain how my love for them caused me such anguish to see them going thru this. The angst was unbelievable. I hurt for them in magnitude I simply can't adequately describe. I still do.

Not to equate the two, but allow me a use of symbolism. I never the saw the movie "The Passion of Christ". I know that Jesus's Passion, Death and Resurrection were given for me; its purpose divinely planned. But I can't stand the thought of the torture they put my Blessed Lord thru. I wish it was me instead.

When my associates were "crushed", so to speak, it tore my heart out. I was powerless to do anything about it. Here's the thing: people I love, including the Lord, were being punished. They were victims of greater forces (in the Lords' case, allow me the allegory; there is no greater force).

Now here is how I know God is at the sides of my friends. One of them called me and told me my Faith inspired him. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Emotionally, I was St. Peter taking two steps into the water, walking on it, doubting, then sinking. How on earth could I inspire anyone? I couldn't sit back and say everything will turn out OK. I thought this very thing, but inside, I was being torn apart. Now, I know these people and they are people of great Faith. I was told by them as much. To be put into this situation and believing clearly that God will take care of them is an inspiration to me. I am the one clearly benefiting; the blessing is to me.

When St. Peter walked on the water, then started to sink, what happened next? The Lord asked him why his faith wavered? And then the Lord reached down and brought St. Peter back to the surface.

He reached down, with his gentle hand, and gave St. Peter back his life.

That hand is always there. I just need to keep my focus on it, and look at what a blessing the simplicity of Faith is, this Luminous Mystery, as shown to me by these people I love, including our Blessed Lord.

God Bless You.

KJ Price