Letters

God's presence

Noel Nugent

Contents - Apr 2011 - Buy a copy now Homily: Pope Benedict XVI's Holy Thursday homily - Pope Benedict XVI Climate expert refutes alarmist attack on Cardinal Pell - William Kininmonth Homosexual rights trump the rest, especially Christians' - Fr John Flynn LC News: The Church Around the World Catholic Church's pivotal role in South Korea's pro-life revival - Babette Francis Music that elevates faith and worship of God - Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev Literature: The 'impossible dream' of Don Quixote (1 Corinthians 1:21) - Andrew Kania Marian Valley and Penrose Park: spiritual powerhouses - Br Barry Coldrey Letters: Conscience? - Thomas & Patricia Watkin Letters: Same-sex 'marriage' - Robert Prinzen-Wood Letters: Easter shopping - Arnold Jago Letters: God's presence - Noel Nugent Events: Holy Week 2011 - St Aloysius, Caulfield North Books: THE RIDDLE OF FATHER HACKETT: A Life in Ireland and Australia, by Brenda Niall - Colin Jory (reviewer) Books: THE LOSER LETTERS, by Mary Eberstadt - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Books: EUROPE AND THE FAITH, by Hilaire Belloc - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS: Reasoned Answers to Questions of Faith - Br Barry Coldrey Books: TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, by Paul Haffner - Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Benedict XVI: Palm Sunday means following Jesus Christ - Pope Benedict XVI

When I was in hospital, at death's door, God was most elusive. I prayed and prayed but could not bring to mind an image of God.

Does one despair and pray no longer? I put this question to my priest visitor.

He said this was not unusual. He knew the situation well from visiting the dying: this utter abandonment by God which they felt.

But remember Christ himself on the cross calling: "Father, Father, why have you abandoned me?"

St Thérèse of Lisieux felt a similar abandonment by God and was almost suicidal because of it.

The priest said to not despair for, although we felt abandoned by God, God was indeed close at hand and heard our prayers.

Father's visit brought me great consolation and I pray consistently.

NOEL NUGENT
Box Hill North, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 24 No 3 (April 2011), p. 16