"When hasn't He been here?"

Ave Maria! Living less than a block away from Half Price Books is a real perk for me. I come across great finds there all the time for two or three dollars, sometimes even less.  Recently I picked up and read the novel Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. She is known for addressing hot-button topics and has been described as not only provoking the mind but also touching the flawed souls in all of us as she tackles "provocative and relevant moral dilemmas rich in nuance, mystery, and wit."

One of the characters in this book is Shay Bourne, a 33-year-old carpenter on death row who appears to have miraculous powers.  Yes, I know, not too transparent, especially once he acquires the name "Death Row Messiah."  More than once I was ready to toss the book aside, then I'd come across a passage that grabbed me, so I plodded on.  Another character is Fr. Michael, who, years before he became ordained a Catholic priest, was on the jury that found Shay guilty of murdering two people.  Now Fr. Michael is visiting Shay in prison and has a faith crisis of sorts.  When a Jewish rabbi tells him that some Jews believe that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the Messiah, Fr. Michael becomes even more unsettled.  Has the longed-for Messiah shown up on Death Row, he wonders, and, if so, what does this mean for him personally? 

Finally, at the very end of the book, Fr. Michael's pastor addresses Fr. Michael's crisis of faith, assuring him that he need not be embarrassed about it because it's all part of being human.  Then he says:  "I couldn't quite understand why you were so surprised when you thought God had showed up, Mikey.  I mean, when hasn't He been here?"

Indeed!  Is there any place where God doesn't show up?  Any time when He is not present?  The Word who became flesh and dwelt among us is with us until the end of time and beyond.  We have His promise on this, and we believe that all of His promises are true.  True, for now "we see through a glass darkly" (1 Cor 3:12), but we live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).  We know the one in whom we've put our trust (2 Tim 1:12).  It is the Lord!  He arose from the dead and is still with us.  ALLELUIA!

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence!

~from the Psalms