God's absence is a sort of mystical vacuum that generates a trememdous moral crisis exposing the innermost heart of the tenants, revealing it in all its perversity. It is our work as Christians to make God present in the world- Are we doing it?

Do we actually believe that the Christian life will make us happy? More precisely, can it give us a happiness the world cannot give? If we do believe this, it has real consequences for our lives- serious consequences. Let’s look to the gospel for guidance

We know that we are in some manner responsible for our brothers and sisters, that we cannot create our own moral code, or any sense of community or solidarity would crumble.

It is naturally impossible for us, as people who live in time and space, to transcend our particular culture and worldview in hopes of getting a more objective perspective on this s.hort window in which we live. So what are we do do? Is it hopeless?

Happiness is not found in autonomy, in being the master of your own domain, rather true freedom is found in that definitive yes to the one you love- which demands a NO to all the others.

How could Jesus be silent in the face of a poor woman's plea? We can ask further: how could he be silent in the face of our pleas, of our petitions?

We ought to ask why Jesus allows tribulation and suffering? He purposely subjects his disciples to hours of imminent danger on the waters, and though he knew what the outcome would be, they didn’t.