Does God exist?

And “God”, does He really exist?

Note: this text reflects only the thoughts and opinions of the author of these lines, and does not represent an official position of the Catholic Church or any religious movement.

A few words for the non-believer

None of us were born knowing how to speak, read, or write. It was a learning process, in which our parents transmitted us the spoken language and put us in school, where we learned the alphabet, how to read and write. Some of us also went through catechism, where we learned the basics of faith and religion.

But for those who have not had the opportunity to learn to read and write, it is impossible to understand, for example, a poem that is presented to them. Likewise, for those who have not had the opportunity to acquire the foundations of faith and a religious sense, it can be difficult to understand this "relationship with God" to which Jesus invites us.

Just an aside, which I can't resist. Some parents say they don't enroll their children in Sunday school because they have the right to choose whatever religion they want when they grow up. And that is truth. But then coherence would say to not put them in school either. After all, they may not want to speak English, nor French, nor German, but rather the African dialect Akebu...

But, back to the topic.

First of all, it is worth noting that the word “God” is just a word. We could use others, such as “Creator”, “Supreme Entity”, “Energy of the Universe” or any other that comes to our mind. The word used here is not the most important thing. This word is only intended to identify something that, if it exists, transcends our human intelligence, something so grand and immeasurable that we cannot understand it as a whole.

Perhaps for this reason, this “Entity” became man in the person of Jesus Christ, to come to meet us and tell us, face to face, how much He loves us, how we can be happier and how He created us BY Love and FOR Love. And also that He wishes to have a close and personal relationship with each one of us. This is what Christians believe in.

But in fact it is not straightforward to prove that God exists. We can find clues, signs and guidelines of thought, but finding a real proof that satisfies us, that can only be done through the eyes of faith. But even so, it might be even more difficult to prove the opposite, that God does not exist.

But then, how can we find “our answer”? Yes or no? 

For example, at night, in the silence and seclusion of our room, sitting or kneeling, we can have a moment of prayer, in which we direct our thoughts to this Entity, open our hearts to Him and say what is in our soul. Our joys, our anguish, our suffering, our doubts… And it seems we feel that “on the other side” we are welcomed, almost as if there really is an ear that listens to us and someone who welcomes us. Someone who knows us and wants us to live a fuller life. However, it is important to keep your mind calm and peaceful, obviously with your cell phone turned off and away from the “noise” of social media. Basically, we are making a call, but it is to Someone much more important…

The number π

The number Pi, as we have learned in school, is an irrational, infinite number. It is a fascinating number that has intrigued mathematicians for centuries. We usually use an approximation (3.14159), but in reality not even the most powerful computer will be able to find its exact value, simply because it is… infinite. If someone asked me how can I "prove" the existence of God, I would answer with this number, which exists but which no human being or computer will ever be able to know in its entirety. So I believe it is God, infinite.

There are several signs that can lead us to think about the existence of a “Creative Entity”, namely, Mathematics, Physics, Music or the beauty of a simple wild flower. All this makes us think that there is an order, a harmony and a structure behind these things. Or even that person who smiled at us just when we needed it most.

For the author of these lines, God is this entity; a great Mathematician, a great Physicist, a great Artist who present us with overwhelming “Beauty”, that beauty of nature that makes us feel so good to contemplate.

I once heard a physicist talk in a lecture about the evolution of life on planet Earth. It's been a few years now, so I don't remember the speech completely, but I remember him mentioning that life on Earth, as we know it, only exists thanks to an incredible and highly improbable coincidence of several physical and cosmic factors. Maybe it really is a coincidence, but there could still be an order behind it. One thing is certain, we have this wonderful and beautiful planet to live on and preserve for the generations that will come after us. A gift from God? I believe so.

And if this God really exists, then I think it can only be good if we seek to have a relationship with Him. In the same way that if we didn't know how to read or write, we would miss out on an endless world of culture, literature, philosophy, poetry, here too, we can be missing out on something that eventually can make us much richer and fulfilled.

The world we are living in

When we look at the world around us today, we find a sick world, full of inequality, hunger, untruth, evil, unrestricted greed, extremism, violence, corruption. We could even say that if this “God” really existed, He would not allow this state of affairs.

The reality is that we, human beings, are not automatons, pre-programmed to do this or that. We are conscious beings and responsible for our actions.

A very simple example: I think it's relatively obvious that littering is wrong. However, any of us can make the decision to do so, even if we know it is wrong. In other words, we were not created as pre-programmed “robots”, without the possibility of choice. But when we decide to throw rubbish on the ground, we are leaving the environment around us dirty and ugly, which in no way contributes to our happiness or joy in life. Neither from ourselves, nor from those around us.

Likewise, the state in which Humanity finds itself today is a reflection and consequence of the conscious choices and actions of Man himself. Which is strange, because man could make a wiser decision and choose the path that brings him more happiness and harmony, but it seems he doesn't. As Saint-Exupéry would say, “Everything about mankind is paradox”…

But why then? Has God abandoned mankind? Perhaps not; perhaps it is man who is moving away from God.

Conversion

If God created us, then He knows what is best for us. And if He created us out of Love, then He can only want what is best for us.

For Christians, Jesus was that God incarnate, who came to tell us “in person” what is best for us. Let's say that He came to make us "a drawing", so that there are no doubts... He appealed to us for the so-called "conversion", which is nothing more than opening the doors of our hearts to God and seeking to follow the plan that He has for each one of us. A plan made by Love that can only be good. In His own words: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This doesn't mean having only nice things in life. If it were like that, it would be easy… A life in abundance is living a life with meaning and purpose, lived in Love, in a relationship with God and in giving ourselves to others. And this also translates into a happier and fuller life, with a full heart. And surely, also into a better world.

In short, Jesus conveys to us the great Love that God has for each one of us, for every human being. He loves us in our best version: just as we really are, with all our imperfections and weaknesses. Because to Him, each one of us is unique, special and precious.

And, as we are told in the parable of the prodigal son, He is always ready to welcome us with open arms…

Prayer: a secret

A relationship with another person, whether it be friendship, dating or marriage, is always something that enriches us. But to maintain a healthy relationship with someone, you need to dedicate time to that person. And in the same way, this person must also be available to dedicate some time to ourselves. If this “work” is not done, over time the relationship cools down, withers away and eventually disappears.

We can also have this relationship with God. And the way we dedicate time to Him and maintain a healthy relationship is through prayer. And you don’t even need to be a big believer; just try to have a moment of silence and dedicate some of your time to Him. Or even if you are not a believer at all, you can, for example, go to the countryside and spend some time contemplating Nature's beauty; just as simple as that.

However, it is difficult to pray nowadays. We are immersed in a frantic and hurried society, full of noise from the media, which distracts us and takes away our serenity and inner peace. Stopping and having a moment for praying or reading the Scripture may seem like a waste of time; apparently it is not a profitable time. But cultivating prayer means not letting yourself be “carried away by the current.” It is giving importance to ourselves and focusing on what truly contributes to our happiness and well-being.

And we cannot neglect the value of sincere prayer. Saint Monica prayed for years for the conversion of her son, Augustine. She trusted completely in God and achieved that grace. Her son not only converted at age 33, but went on to become a priest, bishop and saint.

But what is the secret then? The secret is that through prayer we can approach Wisdom. This Wisdom that it is not written in school books, but simply comes from the Heart and from the presence of God within us. And it's like the sun, free and available to everyone.

Priests

Finally, a word concerning priests. They are those who seek to continue the preaching of Jesus Christ, spread His Word and nourish the spiritual life of believers. But they are also men,  with their own unique personal experiences and life paths, which have shaped their way of being and their speech. And they also have their limitations and imperfections, just like any of us. If by chance the priests we have met throughout our lives, for whatever reason, have not inspired us, have not captivated us with their speech, who knows, perhaps there may be one in the “parish next door” who is truly capable of changing our lives…

With all my humility, i sincerely  hope that these lines can contribute to the beginning of a personal reflection and, perhaps, a more fulfilled and happier life.