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Updated: November 21, 2025 @ 8:05 am
Murphy
Murphy
I had a hard time coming up with a theme for this column, but then, while fixing lunch, I got, “God’s Presence.” So let’s talk about this and see if we can put some flesh on these bones.
It is easy to feel God’s presence when things are going well isn’t it? I have preached at Fourth Lake (Old Forge) and Lake George (Bolton Landing.) I told people that I didn’t need to preach about God’s Presence. All they had to do was to look out over the lake.
I remember when my oldest son was 4. His grandmother had died and after a while his grandfather remarried. At the wedding service the preacher said that God was present. My son yelled out, “Presents!” He was thinking like Christmas presents.
We also have times when we don’t feel God’s presence. It could be the loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship or loss of a beloved job. Or how about when we are in severe physical or emotional pain for long periods of time? We try to pray and be faithful and yet the doubt sets in. Remember God’s timing is not our timing, so we say, as Isaiah does, wait upon the Lord. There is a book called “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. He was a 17th century French Brother. The basic premise is that we find God in simple, everyday events.
The psalm is 66, verses 1-11. It speaks about God’s Presence. Verse 5 says, “Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind.” Verse 6 says, “He turned the sea into dry land, and they passed through the waters on foot.”
The Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 29, 1 and 4-7. God sent His word to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He told them to get on with their lives. To buy land and build houses and plant gardens. He told them to get married and also for their sons and daughters to marry and to increase. Verse 7 is interesting: “Also seek the Peace and Prosperity of the city where I HAVE CARRIED YOU INTO EXILE. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will prosper.”
The Epistle is 2 Timothy chapter 2 verses 8-15. Paul tells Timothy that he (Paul) is chained like a criminal but God’s word is not chained. Reminds me of working with “Breaking Chains“ Ministry. Verse 13 stands out: “If we are faithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” God’s Presence is working here for the good. Lastly Paul warns us not to quarrel about words. It has no value and turns people off. I often get the question Why do Christians argue among themselves so much? My answer is we are bratty kids.
The Gospel is Luke chapter 17, verses 11-19. It is the story of the 10 lepers. They keep their distance from Jesus and cry out in a loud voice — “Jesus master have pity on us.” Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest. On the way they were cleansed. One came back to Jesus, fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. And can you believe he was a Samaritan? Jesus asked where the other nine were. Gratitude is another whole sermon. He says to the clean man, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.” Here Gods Presence is obvious.
How and when do we see God’s Presence among us? AMEN!
Ed Murphy is a Supply Priest who fills in at various parishes around the Finger Lakes. His “Faith Perspectives” column is published monthly on the Finger Lakes Times Religion page. Contact him at emurphy91452@gmail.com.
Murphy
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