The Presence of God

The closer we are to love,

the closer we are to God.

God is love,

and in Him there is no hatred at all.

Our quick judgments

and spiteful gossip,

even that found among the religious,

does not resemble God at all.

We are to reflect God,

yet sadly we often believe

that God is simple minded

and holds petty grudges

like us.

And so we drive

the broken and sinful away,

not realizing that in doing so,

we are driving God

from our very presence.

'Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’' (Matthew 25:37-40).