RELIGION

April 6: Hanuman Jayanti (Hinduism)

April 9: Easter (Christianity)

March 22-April 20: Ramadan

April 5-13: Passover (Judaism)

Various religions are celebrating their holy days during April. They clearly identify with the beliefs that they believe are singular to the point that they deny brotherhood with the other religions. I can recall my young days as a Catholic altar boy feeling sad for those who are not Christians. Over time, there have been wars between groups based on their religious identity as today’s battle between Israel and Palestine. 

Thanks to the Jesuit Paleontologist, Pierre deTheilard Chardin and Sr. Ilia Delia, Ph.D. At Marquette University, I see the world in terms of evolution. As our Cosmos exploded into a huge universe that is 92 billion years in diameter, the ends of which have yet to be seen.  We humans evolved from animals, but there is every reason to consider that humans have reasons to consider that they have not evolved as far as one may anticipate. 

With this understanding, I surely no longer identify with organized religion even though I was a Catholic priest for six years. I now understand that Divine in the context of evolution. The Divine is not “God” as a person but as the reality supporting all! 

With this understanding, I am aware that the Divine is present in the universe always. The Divine is present in all, humans, animals, plants, etc. All that I have to do is being aware of the presence of the Divine always. I simply focus of this reality and experience peace and happiness.