It is not uncommon, at all, to struggle with the question of God, however, it is more common to ignore the question of God. For most it is easier to ignore the question, never examine it, never mention it, just keep going along. Some pursue the struggle, some keep the question locked away and might only think of it when the stars come out, or sadly when tragedy happens.

Often, the question is posed as to whether God exists or not. Yet, this is not an accurate question. By ‘God’ it has to be rightly understood that it is the One who is the reason and sustainer for all that exists. Anything less than this is simply not what is meant by ‘God’. Therefore, it cannot be asked whether God exists or not, because there is existence, all around us.

The question really that the human heart struggles with, and part of the struggle is putting words to the angst that might be felt toward God, is He worth pursuing? Is God worth putting at the center of your life to then give answer to all that causes us to ponder, rejoice, celebrate, and give thanks?

That angst often doesn’t even need to be put into a question; it simply remains as an existential fact of every human being—we sense our incompleteness. No thing or one seems to fully complete the depth of connection that the soul was made for.

A more contemporary artist has given really beautiful expression to this and in his song inspires the heart to dare to pursue Him. In many ways his song seems to imply the message that having God in the center of your life is simply the perfect fit that we so hoped it would be. Here’s an excerpt from Marc Scibilia’s “More to This”

Don't the question beg an answer?
Don't the song beg a dancer?
Don't you dare
Tell me that there ain't more to this
More to this

Just as an answer is a perfect fit to a question and a dancer to a song, so too is communion with God for the soul. That we can ask a question means that there is an answer to discover. That we create music and songs gives reason for one to dance which transcends every language and social norms. That you and I are the most noble of visible creation who create and love and delight in communion, does this not beg Someone who is the Creator, the Love and the Triune Communion?

Luke 17:5-10

The core message of today’s gospel passage is faith. We are  all invited to join the apostles as they plead with Jesus, “Lord increase our faith”  that leaves us with the question: What is faith? Too often we associate faith with saying prayers and performing rituals and while these have a place in our practice faith is much more. Faith involves trust. The belief that no matter what circumstances or difficulties we find ourselves in God is always present with us.

A few years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a young ICU nurse named Maria was working long exhausting shifts. She was constantly surrounded by fear, sickness and loss. One night, after losing yet another patient she stepped into the hospital hallway and felt completely empty, physically, emotionally and spiritually. She leaned against the wall closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, nothing grand or wordy but from her heart. “God I don’t know what to do anymore. But I trust You are still here.”

This simple prayer became her ritual. Every night no matter how overwhelmed she felt she stepped into the hallway and prayed. Sometimes in tears, sometimes in silence but always in faith. Other nurses started noticing what Maria was doing and a few began joining her. Eventually, it became a quiet tradition-just a few minutes each night, a moment of prayer in the hallway.

Maria told me during the hardest time in her life she didn’t feel strong but she had faith not in herself but in God’s presence even in the chaos.

Faith isn’t always loud or confident. Sometimes its as small as a whispered prayer in a hallway. But as Jesus tells us If we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can say to the mulberry tree Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you. 

Real faith often shows up in the quiet places in the hospital hallway, the empty kitchen, the long commute, the difficult job, in the loss of a loved one and in the seemingly unanswered prayers. What matters isn’t how strong we feel but how much we trust that God is still present. And therefore we pray, Lord I believe help my unbelief. Maria told me during the hardest time in her life she didn’t feel strong but she had faith not in herself but in God’s presence even in the chaos.

Parent Workshop

Join us September 25th at 8:15am in the school auditorium for a Parent workshop led by Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Erin Anderson. We will take a deep dive into understanding fine and gross motor milestones, explore the importance of early intervention, and gain tools to help your child with self-regulation. This session is free to the public for parents and caregivers with children ages 2-7. Register here

Bulldog Buddies

For parents and caregivers, please join us for another exciting session of Bulldog Buddies. Children will experience our school setting in a safe, nurturing environment with Free Play, Circle TIme, Crafts, and Story Time. Children must turn 2 by September 1, 2025. Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00am - 9:30am, September 30th through November 21st. Register here

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! We have an upcoming tour on October 14th at 9am. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application