"STUFF" Happens! BAD Stuff! Fear, Anger, Guilt, Remorse, DOUBT - they all start creeping in - and guess what? WE get MAD at GOD! But guess what, Pilgrim, HE did NOT cause it! HE neither causes the random acts of Nature, nor "accidents" from neglect or stupidity, nor the ills of mankind - Man's own FREE-WILL to choose Evil is the culprit here!

Our Father Who Art Within Us!

Copyright April 7, 2001
Tom Hyland

There is no God! That is what an atheist proclaims. Well, er, uh — "I dunno," says an agnostic. Other mealy-mouthed in-decisive mal-contents murmur "I used to believe in God, but I think God is dead!" Then we have the lukewarm believers, who totally ignore the rules and regulations of established religions. Their tendency is to do what they want, never fearing any punishment for their sins, and never even admitting to anyone that they do pray. When? Oh, when the "chips are down" and something severe happens in their lives, like an accident or sickness befalling themselves or loved-ones.

Next, we have the staunch believers, you know the upright practitioners who never miss church. These "Holier than thou" types, present a facade of righteousness via adherence to church law, offering us the image of perfection personified. These are the "faithful" who will run you down on the church parking lot, merely because they think they are in more of a hurry than you are. Whether it is a football game, baseball game, or a family celebration, matters not. You better get out of their way, ‘cause "church is out!"

Then we have the real "diehards," the "Bible-Pounders" who can quote Scripture, chapter and verse, and tell you the whys and wherefores of your sins, and why you're going to "go to hell" if you don't change your ways! These are the real extremists who oscillate from penitence (sack cloth and ashes) to the "Glory of the Rapture" (they're movin' on up - but you ain't)! Some of us fondly refer to this group as the religious "fanatics."

The words from an old Elvis' song now leap to my mind: "The stage is bare, and I'm standing there . . ." So, where am I coming from? Having been raised as a child under the strict principles of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, I was taught and memorized basic credos from Catechism books: God is Omnipotent (all-powerful)! God is Omnipresent (everywhere)! God is Omniscient (all-knowing)! Lastly, God is all-loving (don't remember if an omni term exists)! So, as a child I had this conception of this really BIG, powerful, "didn't miss a trick, don't do nothing wrong" Father image, way out in space somewhere!

Now, at age sixty, because of education, training, experience, and just living life with a more open mind, my beliefs are quite different. Tomorrow, Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001, shall be the fifteenth consecutive year that I shall "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" by singing in the choir at the Cathedral. While this might indicate some stability in my chosen and confirmed faith, I no longer envision the older image of a Gargantuan "Alpha and Omega." It's kind of a change from the macrocosm to a microcosm. Say what? Let me explain. Suppose that after God created Adam and Eve, He simply chose to split Himself into a teensy-weensy self-replicating God, that automatically and mysteriously would be breathed into each and every human being's soul, every time a new child was born. Therefore, God is: within you, within me, within every person, plant, tree, creature, perhaps even every little pismire! Thus, we arrive at the title, which is merely a paraphrase of The Lord's Prayer - "Our Father, Who Art Within Us!"

If we, as believers, can recognize and acknowledge that there are gradations of good and evil within every homo sapiens, then there is no necessity of any "giant leap for mankind" to reach the conclusion that we are all simply "the sum total of our environment." That original minute "spark" of faith, not unlike the proverbial, lowly mustard seed, can be fanned to a full-blown inferno - OR - quenched and subdued to a dull glowing ember. That is to say that, our individual and in-duplicable unique attitudes will ultimately determine our levels of faith. If this minuscule spark of God-Love is nourished, then it will flourish, and with that faith it will have the power to move mountains. Conversely, if it is quashed, subjugated, ignored and spat upon - it will surely wither and die!

Ultimately, my fellow journeymen (women) this passage from birth to death, from cradle to grave, can be whatever each of us CHOOSES it to be! It can be a miserable, negative, hopeless journey of a living hell, not unlike Dante's - OR - it can be an adventure of discovery, a magnificent quest for learning and sharing, for caring and helping others. In short, it can be a veritable Labor of Love! Two old citations come to mind here: first: "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Secondly, I'd like to offer a paraphrase of the Prayer of Saint Francis, to wit: "If there is to be Love (peace) on earth, let it begin with me."

In closing, I have found a much greater inner peace by believing that my God is personal (contained directly within me) and knows and hears my prayers even before my paltry mind can formulate them. That BIG old Titan, somewhere way out in space, made a very wise choice, long before time immortal ever began! After all, He is Omniscient, doncha' know?

Finally, the words from a beautiful anthem keep repeating themselves in my ears:
"Hear my prayer, oh Lord, and let my crying come unto Thee!"


- Our Father, Who Art Within Us -
"please continue your guidance, mercy, and patience, as we know that You are not finished with us - YET!"

FOOTNOTE: Just this week a loving niece who knew how full my plate was, gave me a book to read, to help me. The title is: "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?" by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, Avon Books, 1983. It was a national Best Seller, and I highly recommend it to anyone questioning their faith or religion. Buy or Borrow the book!

TKH