Episode 2524: Seeking God in Every Moment - Morning Episode

Welcome to today’s podcast, where we’ll be diving deep into the spiritual wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and the prophet Isaiah. These saints and scripture speak to the profound reality that God is present in every moment of our lives if only we have the eyes to see it.
We often feel that God is far away, only to be found in grand religious experiences or when we are engaged in formal prayer. But the truth, as Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade beautifully expresses, is that God presents Himself to us constantly whether through the challenges we face, the consolations we receive, or the duties we must fulfill. Every moment is filled with divine purpose, and every circumstance is an opportunity to discover God at work.
In this episode, we’ll reflect on how to cultivate an awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of our lives and how seeking Him daily with our whole heart can lead us closer to His will.
Let’s begin with the timeless words of St. Thomas Aquinas:
"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you."
This prayer of St. Thomas is a roadmap for every Christian’s life. It begins with a desire for knowledge “a mind to know you” because knowing God is the foundation of everything. But St. Thomas doesn’t stop at intellectual knowledge; he prays for a heart to seek God, showing that true knowledge of God goes beyond the mind and must engage our hearts and souls. He also prays for wisdom to find God, knowing that in the complexities of life, only divine wisdom can reveal God’s presence to us.
This idea is echoed in Isaiah 26:7-9:
"The way of the righteous is level; thou dost make smooth the path of the righteous. In the path of thy judgments, O Lord, we wait for thee; thy memorial name is the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for thee in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks thee."
Isaiah shows us the yearning of the soul for God, a desire that permeates even the darkest times of our lives
“my soul yearns for thee in the night.” This yearning is not passive; it is an active, deliberate seeking of God. We wait for Him, trust in His ways, and find peace knowing that His judgments are true and righteous.
However, it is often in the small, seemingly insignificant moments of life that God’s will is most present. Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade captures this beautifully:
"There is not a moment in which God does not present Himself under the cover of some pain to be endured, of some consolation to be enjoyed, or of some duty to be performed. All that takes place within us, around us, or through us, contains and conceals His divine action."
Fr. de Caussade teaches us that nothing in life is wasted no sorrow, no joy, no task. Each moment is an opportunity for us to encounter God. The problem is not that God is absent, but that we often fail to recognize Him because He comes to us in ways that are hidden and humble. If we could learn to lift the veil and see His hand in everything, we would exclaim, “It is the Lord!” We would see that even the challenges we face, the duties we perform, and the mundane tasks of life are moments filled with divine presence.
This is the essence of what it means to “seek first His kingdom” as Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:33. It’s not about waiting for some grand spiritual experience or focusing on our own needs and desires. It’s about trusting that God is already at work in our lives, even in the smallest things. It’s about aligning our will with His, so that we can recognize His grace in every moment.
This is where perseverance comes into play. As St. Thomas Aquinas prays for “faithful perseverance in waiting for You,” we too must learn to patiently seek God, knowing that His presence is not always immediately apparent. But through faith, we trust that He is always near, guiding us and providing for us.
Practical Application:
So how do we begin to see God in the everyday moments of our lives? Here are three practical steps that can help us grow in this awareness:
Begin Each Day with Prayer: Start each morning with a simple prayer of intention, asking God to open your heart to His presence throughout the day. Ask for the grace to recognize Him in whatever the day brings, whether in joy or difficulty.
Offer Your Daily Duties to God: Throughout your day, offer each task, no matter how small or routine, as a prayer to God. Whether you’re at work, caring for your family, or simply running errands, consciously offer these moments to God, trusting that He is present in them.
Reflect at the End of the Day: Before going to bed, take a few moments to look back over your day. Ask yourself, “Where did I see God today?” You may be surprised to find that He was present in moments you didn’t expect.
By practicing these steps, we can train our hearts and minds to become more attuned to God’s presence, learning to recognize His divine action in every circumstance.
Conclusion:
In today’s reflection, we’ve explored the profound truth that God is present in every moment of our lives. Through the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and the prophet Isaiah, we’ve seen that seeking God is not just about grand spiritual experiences, but about discovering Him in the everyday tasks and events of life.
As Christians, we are called to seek God with all our heart, to trust in His providence, and to recognize that He is always near, even in the smallest details of our day. This requires faith, patience, and a deep love for God. But when we learn to see His hand in everything, our lives are transformed by His grace.
Let us continue to seek Him with the confidence that, as St. Thomas Aquinas prayed, we will one day finally embrace Him in eternity.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your constant presence in our lives, even in the moments when we fail to recognize You. Grant us, O Lord, a mind to know You, a heart to seek You, and wisdom to find You in all things. Help us to trust in Your providence and to offer each moment of our day to You as an act of love.
May we persevere in seeking Your kingdom above all else and find peace in the knowledge that You are always with us. Teach us to see Your hand in everything, and grant us the grace to respond with faith and love to whatever You ask of us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.