Religion is the existing link between man and his God; it's the institute that receives the most scrutiny out of religious fanatics and spectators. It is a subject so sensitive that when discussed results to bloodshed among its devoted followers of diverse nations through centuries. To avoid argument over your peers and acquaintances don't bring religion in the table during conversations - you'll never know what might hit you.
As a free-spirited believer of the Catholic doctrine, God to me in many ways is our desired ultimate best friend, soul mate, and perhaps, lover. Your boyfriend or husband might give you the shiver each time he kisses you on the lips or hold your hand while you walk together in the pavements. He can also stimulate your sexual appetite, and show you the heavens when you're deep in ecstasy. But somehow, there is always something missing. You've tried to find it in relationships, sex, drugs, and luxury. It makes you happy, makes you run for more, but when you fall short it disappears out of the blue. When I listen to songs about genuine love I interpret it as referring to "God." I could not sing the same song to a man, for their endurance remains unsure.
In college, I have romanticized the phrase: "I don't need a reason to be angry with God" from the movie A Walk to Remember. Positive thinking was more prevalent to me those days. I find it easier to believe in him when he works wonders in my life. And surely, college was the moment I had reaped God's miracles in my own hands. Our faith is so strong only when he acts like Santa Claus. (At least, I'm not being a hypocrite here). It's true that we believe in God more when we see how "blessed" we really were, and if we compared our plight to the impoverished, hungry, and disabled. Most of the time I feel guilty for all the blessings I receive and for complaining a lot when I get hurt a little.
God doesn't deserve to be mistreated, but I can't help blaming him for what went awry, especially when I'm enraged by the moment and overwhelmed by my emotions. But then later, after I was pacified, I would also realized that what I've done is terribly wrong. That it was I who make mistakes, and yet it looks like I crucified Him to absolve me from my sins. Maybe we go to that extreme because we were afraid of not having control of our destiny. More or less, it's actually defense mechanism. We refuse to accept the reality of nature that although we make our decisions, God is still the architect or the master planner of our fate, and there are things that is beyond our control, even if we assume that we had this world under our cover.
As written in the letter to the Ephesians 4:26-27: "Be angry but do not sin, do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil." Anger is inevitable, a humanly impulse, an instant reaction that occurs when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulder. Be glad of your load, though it may trigger your anger, it still taught you to be better. It makes you stronger, thicker and wiser. When you're angry embrace it, but do not forget to kiss it goodbye before the day ends so the devil that surrounds it cannot consume you.
In an odd way we unravel the personal Jesus in us by our sacrifices to carry out the work that God gave us to do. Jesus is a man, nevertheless, he is made of flesh and bone, but his selfless act made him a holy man.
This reminds me of a verse from the book of John. The Lord says: "I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me." Which is appropriate, even for us. Our actions and decisions were meant for the accomplishment of God's greater will whatever it may be. Do you think the victims of tragic incidents, (like that of Virginia Tech) died for no reason? I do believe their death has some significance. Maybe the true purpose of things cannot be seen today. But I know, in the near future its essence will be revealed. Miracles happen. When, and where, or how? I don't know. It's a mystery. Life is full of ambiguous paradoxes, and so is God.
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