Presence: Experiencing the Nearness of God

Happy Easter! I take the day off from the regular podcast. Instead, enjoy a recent voicemail left by Screwtape for his nephew and Junior Tempter, Wormwood.

Listen as I describe in three acts how I felt God's Presence today via interactions with my immediate family members.

As I struggle with the notion of subsitutionary atonement celebrated in most liturgies on this day, I chose actions today to celebrate the theme of today in ways authentic to what I needed this year. And I experienced God's Presence in the midst of it.

It's Holy Thursday and Opening Day for baseball. I experience God's Presence as I celebrate both of these today.

I listen to a podcast about fireflies and show a video to my students about the Passover Seder meal. Can we really know the meaning of these sacred symbols without seeing, tasting or touching them?

I view two things today and experience God's Presence through an ancient hymn for Holy Wednesday eve and in the groundbreaking film Black Panther (no spoilers given!)

I feel God's Presence in the continued project of recycling and repurposing plastic K Pod cups. This time I clean and prepare them for an art project beginning tomorrow.

I worship at a different church than usual and experience God's Presence in the ancient liturgy of Palm or Passion Sunday.

My daughter and I go out for the March For Our Lives held in our city. I feel God's Presence in the gathering for life and in my own realization as to when it was time to go home.

Today was the day for Eucharistic Adoration at my school and I took my 6th period students to participate in this holy time of prayer and devotion.

I watch the U of Loyola Chicago Ramblers win and also the story of the Gospel of Mark from my comfy couch. Praise God as without the latter, we wouldn't have the former!

I take a day off of work and go with Mom's Demand Action to the Ohio Statehouse to meet with Representatives and talk about #gunsafety initiatives. An exciting day of advocacy and learning!

I start and end my day in darkness illuminated by a candle and reflect on God who is revealed in light and Quantum Mechanics.

A colleague and I share a conversation as part of a Lenten book club. We talk about The Screwtape Letters and what this classic work tells us about the temptations aimed at us.

I record a very late podcast at the end of a weekend in which I experienced God's Presence in basketball and service.

Although I am zero percent Irish, I wore green and prayed St. Patrick's Breastplate today. And no, I didn't drink or make any green wine.

I experience God's Presence in the Cosmos today in two distinct ways and times.

I experience darkness and light in two ways. And I talk about an insightful article in Scientific American entitled "Why Are White Men Stockpiling Guns?"

Today, my student, colleagues and I participated as one of more than 3000 schools in remembering Parkland by walking out of class.

My beloved, long time backpack breaks its second zipper (darn!) but I find a great replacement for JUST 3 DOLLARS (hooray!)

On Meditation Monday, I read about the development of panentheism or God in all things and all things in God.

I watch moms love children during mass and later on during a meeting of Moms Demand Action.

I experience the nearness of God in a Recovery brother, 3 married couples, and Mo Anam Cara.

I think I have my experience of God's Presence early in the day, but am surprised when a stranger asks me to give him a ride.

Our school community celebrated our Lenten Reconciliation Service and I felt God's Presence in the three areas the priest asked us to reflect upon in our lives.