God, Where are you?

It's Christmas again! It's the time of the year when we are all busy with the celebrations, the eating and the drinking. Admist the celebrations, I've been questioning the state of my spiritual life. I wonder if I am truly aware of God's presence amongst the merry making or is He just a 'by-the-way' thingy. Well, perhaps I'm just in need of some silent time, away from the 'noise'

I have been reading Gerard W Hughes, SJ - "God, Where are you". Here's a part from the preface which I thought I'd quote :

"....You taught me a very clear and simple message when I walked to Rome and to Jerusalem : that my destination was the basis of all the subsequent decisions I took, route, maps, equipment, money, direction each day, time for rest, time for walking. It was not that I was continuously thinking of destination Rome, or destination Jerusalem but subconsciously my destination was the ultimate determinant to every decision. To have ignored my destination would have been to walk blindly.."

As I prepare to leave for the Philippines, I can't help but be grateful for all that God had provided for me, especially the people He has sent into my life. I thank God especially for the companions that he has so graciously provided on this journey , companions who are also bold enough to make radical responses to God and who inspire and urge me along. Companions who, though are apart from me, will be looking and walking and looking towards the same destination, seeking peace, joy and fulfilment..

Here's a poem I'd like to share., given to me by a Jesuit whom I consider a teacher in many ways. ~ For all my beloved brothers and sisters on a journey of discovery and seeking God's will, and for all who are struggling to see God in the darkness.

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention.

– Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957)