The Relevancy of God

​I can recall growing up attending Mass each Sunday. For me, it was more something that we did than it was an occasion to worship God and to receive Him in the Eucharist. I didn’t really want to go and looked forward to the times when we didn’t make it.
 
When my parents divorced, I remember my Mom meeting with the parish priest, but didn’t think anything of it. I don’t recall praying to God for help in the time after the divorce, and don’t think I would have because I wouldn’t have seen why I would. God is an hour on Sunday (actually 45 minutes).
 
In high school I did have a powerful spiritual experience when on a confirmation retreat. I think I had a smaller such experience when I was confirmed. There were aspects of Catholicism that intrigued me. I did contemplate seminary at the time. Not sure why, I really didn’t know much about what a priest did and I did not really find prayer and exciting thing, so why would I want to spend my entire day in prayer.  In hindsight, looking back at those spiritual moments I think it was the peace that I experienced that really drew me, I wanted to experience that peace again.
 
So, what is the relevancy of God?
 
Even if Mass was something I looked forward to and I participated in all the activities that a parish offers, what difference does it make? Still must go to work, still have to pay bills, deal with people I don’t like, situations that are stressful and a completely packed schedule.
 
I think the relevancy of God is connected to what we all desire and ask: why? Why am I doing all of this? What is the purpose of my existence? Who am I? 
 
The Book of Genesis tells us that we are made in the image and likeness of God, meaning God is hardwired into our very being.  
 
Love, Beauty, Goodness, Truth: these inspire us and can create an enthusiasm and longing for more in our hearts. Why is that? Because in those experiences we encounter God himself.
 
The role of the Church (and Parish) is to help us to recognize God in these things each day and to help us to nurture a relationship with this God so that we can recognize His presence and action in our day-to-day tasks. This gives us strength to persevere through the mundane as well as the struggles and stresses that occur in life. This recognition helps us to understand who we are and what we are about so that we may live authentically whether at school, work, in our families, etc, etc.
 
This week we have some added daily Mass times and times for Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  These are opportunities to better connect us to the ‘big picture’ and help us to persevere each day in faith, hope and love.