Share This Post!

Where is God?

Reflections by AMS co-sponsored seminarian A.J. Houston

[av_image src=’https://a56553.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/in-Draft-A.J.-Houston-.jpg’ attachment=’4350′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’left’ styling=” hover=” link=” target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_image]

In this time of great uncertainty, fear, and tragedy, I imagine many people feel abandoned by God. Where is God at this time when we greatly need him? Is he even listening to our prayers? Or is he ignoring us?

It is important to note that Jesus himself felt this utter abandonment by God. Bleeding in bitter agony on the cross, he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, see also Psalm 22). God is not unaware of our feelings of abandonment, as he himself experienced them to the fullest. 

Turning to the popular Psalm 23 can give us some encouragement: “Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage” (Psalm 23:4). It certainly seems that we are in a dark valley, but God is not merely watching us from above. Rather, he is at our side, guiding us through. 

Where, then, is God during this time of great uncertainty, fear, and tragedy? He is at our side, in our families and loved ones comforting us. He is at our side, in the friends reaching out to us for support. He is at our side, in those who care for the sick. He is at our side, in the bishops, priests, and deacons striving to bring the Mass into our homes. 

Where is God? 

He is with us.

Recent Posts