The Veritas & Caritas Group

On a recent trip for work, I crossed paths with an old friend whom I hadn't seen or spoken to for more than a year.  In the course of talking over the events of our lives, he began to mention the idea that God was working on a plan for his life.  In fact, he framed it up as,"I never really believed others when they said,'God is asking me to do this.'  I have reached a point where I now believe they may have seen something I didn't — and now, God is at work in my life, and I think he is presenting a choice to me."

 Well, that's the executive summary of the conversation, anyway, without all the details.  Lots of people (myself included) go through an epiphany regarding the presence of God and his influence on their life decisions.  So what makes this any different?  I read this week that God in his totality may be too 'big' to grasp in our feeble human minds — and that we also learn to know Him by first understanding what He is not, and then by understanding where others stand in relation to Him. 

Even before my studies this week, I felt somehow refreshed and enlightened by the conversation I had with my old friend.  We knew each other for years, and this was a little different than any conversation between us…of course the obvious difference is that my old friend has experienced a change of heart.  I knew immediately that he had changed in his relationship with God by the way he spoke of God's presence and actions in his life.  But more than that — and this is my real message — I listened.  I was more comfortable than ever listening to someone elses witness; I wasn't uncomfortable with not know ing what to say.  I was at ease with the idea…even in public.  Finally, my studies shed some light on more of 'why' my conversation had perhaps been so fulfilling.

None of this could be a reality if I hadn't been involved with a small church community.  In hindsight, the point is that I've changed where I stand in relation to God because of my group.  The real beauty is that part of my growth as a Catholic through my SCC is a deeper appreciation for this journey and where others are along a similar journey.  It is certainly recent enough history that I can clearly recall what my response to someone elses witness might have been prior to this single conversation.  I hope my friend finds his way closer to God, and I hope he finds people to help him along the way.  The effects of our SCC on the far corners of our lives always amazes me — I have a circle of people to help me.  Our group is awesome…becaues our God is Awesome.

Just an open ended question that's sort of been floating around in the back of my mind…

Ever wondered what the 'glue' is that puts and holds people together?  Maybe the simple answer is the Spirit guides us all to this point.  That's a little bit of a cop out too because the Spirit guides us in all things if we pay attention.  This is after all, a rhetorical question.  Maybe a better way to ask is,"Why does the 'glue' work the way it does?  How does it work?".

Either way, why does God attract a specific group of people to a cause?  Why 3 housewives and a computer technician? Why a plant breeder and engineer?  And even better yet, why THAT plant breeder and THAT computer technician instead of 2 different ones??  Surely for anyone who has shared their faith (either in your marriage, church, SCC or simple witness to others), you've wondered what your role or purpose was in a greater plan. 

When I share my faith in the right group/setting/context, I experience God's love and plan like never before.  That's the way it is in V&C - like I didn't even know I could experience God outside of Mass.  I am convinced that's why God drew me to these people and a specific group.  Sometimes my attempts to connect with other people haven't been so successful.  Perhaps it means we're just all at different places along the journey.  I know God's plans aren't for me to understand, but ultimately, I've decided the original question isn't for me to answer; it's to ponder God's presence in every detail of my life.  That's something I haven't done very well in the past.   It's pretty humbling for me.  And when I get to that point, it becomes clear:  God has a plan for me that is only for me. 

I guess I'll chalk my rhetorical question (and naivite) up to 'Wonder & Awe' — I feel a little like a deer in the woods with theirs pricked up…something tells them they are supposed to listen for something, but they don't know exactly what to listen for.  If it's just awareness of God trying to communicate with me, then I hope I keep my ears pricked long enough to hear what God needs me to hear.  Maybe listening closely enough, I'll even get some 'Wisdom' and 'Courage' for use on my journey!

Please read this article that I wrote this morning about the new online Codex Sinaiticus project.  I am having difficulty containing my excitement, and I want everyone to be just as excited.

My article about Codex Sinaiticus online project

The actual Codex Sinaiticus online project site

This is going to be GRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!

Hooray for manuscripts!!!!!!!!