So I wrote something...

On Encountering God



If I have to think on God, and on the nature of an Encounter with God, I come to the opinion that while one can have a theoretical, intellectual "knowledge" of God (though He is beyond our comprehension), the only TRUE knowledge of God (in so far as each soul is capable) comes from EXPERIENCE of God.
Since God is IN all, This experience can be anywhere, and doing anything, however He is made manifest to each in different ways according to God's Grace and Desire, and the needs of the Soul.
He does not, however, leave in the dark those who seek Him: "Luk 11:9 And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. "
While the experience of God may not be as EARTH shattering as it was for Saul (Acts 9:1-18), it is ALWAYS WORLD Changing, Life altering event. "One CANNOT encounter God, and remain unchanged.
Sometimes, However, we run from this change. and rather shedding our old selves
--
"Col 3:9 Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds,
Col 3:10 And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him. "
--
for fear of losing our own selfish ways and desires; For it is certainly EASIER to live for self, than for God.
However, if the encounter is embraced, and the change accepted, gradually, the Soul finds them self longing more and more for the FULLNESS of life. Seeking more and more for that which is LIFE GIVING. Old habits, Old thoughts, Old ways, seem futile, and, though a struggle, the soul GRASPS for that new Life, that Life which only God Himself can Give, with all of their strength. And, While Pain, Suffering, and sadness are certainly felt, they are felt in the context of LOVE, in that there is a knowledge of MORE, of Salvation, and NEW LIFE. While Suffering is felt, HOPE prevails. Hope, realised in the Salvation of the Cross.
Redeeming Hope, Sanctifying Grace! Love of the God who became Man for OUR Salvation.
Trusting in Him who loves us SO MUCH that He spared Not His Son, that His Son Spared NOT Himself, and that He remains Here with us... Hope in the God Who's Spirit DWELLS in us, GIVING us the will, power, experience, love, charity to carry on and "Fight the Good Fight"
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith.
"No Soul Touched by God remains unchanged", For the soul that flees is marked by the fear of change, however, the soul KNOWS within the DEEPEST most secret depths of themselves that the change IS necessary. There is an innate knowledge that there truly IS more (and no matter how much the soul hides, the knowledge "written on the hearts of people" remains.) The knowledge that the soul is TRULY worth INFINITELY more to their creator than they themselves believe themselves to be.
The Soul, who, fearful and trembling, embraces God's gentle call, saying, like the prodigal son:
"Luk 15:21 And the son said to him: Father: I have sinned against heaven and before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son. " Is moved, and changed, realising their weakness and need for God.
God, for His part, is ALWAYS calling, always asking, always standing, arms outstretched, and even though the soul is yet FAR from being what they should be, God Reaches out as Loving Father, Blessed Redeemer, Holy Sanctifier:
"Luk 15:20 And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. "
The true experience of God may be shown in our fellow brothers and sisters, those at Mass, those we work with, strangers, the suffering, the alienated, the lonely, and broken hearted, those in need.
For the one who helps, the Suffering Christ is manifest in the suffering. For the one who receives kindness, and compassion, the Redeeming Christ is manifest in the Soul who offers help seeking nothing in return.
It is because Christ IS the reward. Knowing that ALL we do is prayer, all we do is for the Glory of God (Not that it is in any way necessary FOR God, since God is completely self sufficient needing nothing but Himself -- However having created us in Love, Our Love makes Him known, and brings compassion to those around us by showing them the Loving Nature of God), becomes the Souls reward for Service. God, His Loving Embrace, Father, Son, Holy Spirit is ALL the seeker seeks; for it is THERE that the seeker knows that LIFE resides, and so even here on earth, real Life is lived. Life reflecting God, which is the Ultimate End. Suffering is 'embraced' with the arms of the Comforter. Love Himself is made manifest to creation, by creation's very participation in the Loving, Redeeming Sacrifice.

KeenanParkerII said:

Hey Y Cathol,

I appreciate all the work you've put into this writing.



This really struck a cord with me, as it is very similar to St.Thomas Aquinas' philosophy. That while one may not be able to build their faith on intellectual knowledge, it is nonetheless a way for people dependent on intellectualism to get their foot in the door. It gives us hopeless doubters a chance..

And while it is sound to nourish an intellectual understanding, it does not replace actual practice of the faith, but instead supplements it. I grasped this today while reading, and it is awesome that you should post on this same topic today.

Thank you.

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Heya Thanks so much. that means a lot... but I can't take credit for that... God opened the thought in your mind ...

Anygma said:

that's very nice Y Cathol, it's part of what i was trying to tell my friend a few days ago in not so many words... that in order to receive faith, one should be opened to change.

there's a part that is very difficult for her.



she say she prays the prayers she learned as a kids every night, and she tries to believe. she wish she could believe like me and other of her friends. and she don't understand why she just can't get it. sometimes she asks me questions and i try to tell her about my experience, but unless she experience it herself, those experiences means nothing to her.

i think the experience of an encounter with God is difficult to describe with words. it is an experience of the present, God is in the eternal now. it is also a gift and it cannot be forced or provoked.

God Bless!

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Yeah it is... I have a few friends struggling with the same thing. best thing to do is pray for them... I think, In God's time.

Being an example is the thing that's really needed...

Also: Chesterton... I REALLY like his work: "The Everlasting Man"...

wiselife said:

And it's great what you have written. However, you are placing all the emphasis in the before and the after, but not in the actual encounter, the very moment of mystical presence.

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Well... The thing is I can't really expand on each persons "Mystical Experience", since it's unique to the Soul - Where Saul was blinded, and received his vision only later again, I myself received my "conversion" while looking for a job after college... another friend a different way...

I can expand a little but not much, the whole thing is a work in progress and I'll definitely be putting more into it... thank you for the input though, I appreciate it a lot...

{maybe you have other idea's on the moment itself? }