When we go through the first chapter of the book of Genesis, we become aware of the presence of God with our first parents. A God, who, in the cool of the evening, walked with them hand in hand. A God, who in the book of Exodus, was present in the Tent of meeting, as a cloud during the day and as fire at night to guide the path of the Israelites (cf Ex 40:34-38). "He said to me: Mortal, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet, where I will reside among the people of Israel forever. The house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their whoring, and by the corpses of their kings at their death"(Ez 43:7).

Though the people recognised the presence of God in the Tent of meeting and in the Temple, the nature of God, in their view was different. What was uppermost in their minds was the image of a just God who blesses us when we do right and punishes us severely when we stray into evil ways. They did not recognise the steadfast and marvellous love of a father who does not forget his children. Finally, to reveal his love, he sent his only Son to this earth. The name of the Son of God is one which recalls the presence of God- Emmanuel - God with us. With the coming of Jesus, the earth was filled with the presence of God that could be seen with the eyes, touched with the hands.

Before Jesus went back to the Father from this earth, he instituted the Eucharist filled with his presence. When God the Spirit descended on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles immersed in prayer, on the day of Pentecost, the people realised the presence of the Trinitarian God.

One of the attributes of God is that he is omnipresent. The Creator of this universe is present in pillar and post. It is necessary to enter into the truth that God is present everywhere. However, it is necessary, above all things, to personalise God’s presence. My God, present within me. God, who loves me, leads me, is in me, with me always. God’s presence is often compared to oxygen, something we are most in need of. But none of us can see it. Though invisible it is an undeniable reality. Likewise, though we cannot see God’s presence, it cannot be denied. It is necessary to recognise this undeniable truth. How can we recognise it? Just as we recognise the reality of oxygen through experience, through the action of respiration, we can recognise the presence of God within us. St Augustine who realised this divine presence though late in life, exclaimed, "My God, you were within me, whereas I was outside. I searched for you outside myself. The disfigured creature that I am, I ran after the beautiful external things you created. Though you were with me, I was not with you."

Once the renowned author John Powell received this letter from a girl. "I had decided to put an end to my life which was filled with selfishness and sin. I wanted to drown myself in the sea. I took the sea for my mother. A mother who rocks me in the cradle of its waves and holds me in her long arms. A mother who washes away my sins in its clean waters. I walked along its sandy shores. That day the sea was rough. Still I slowly walked into it. Suddenly I heard a voice. I realised that the voice was from the depths of my inner self. But that voice was strong and clear. That voice said: ‘Go back. Look down’. Unable to ignore that voice, I obeyed it like a puppet. When I looked down I saw the waves caressing my feet and flowing away. The voice murmured again: ‘My daughter, just as these waves wash away your footprints, my love and mercy wash away the stains of your sins. I want you back. I am calling you not to die but to live, to love and to be loved’. That day I recognised the God dwelling within me. Now I am living only to love." When this girl, who was restive and anxious, recognised God dwelling within her, she became a happy and satisfied person. Life assumed new meaning. Awareness of the indwelling God can be called awareness of his presence. A life lived in this awareness is one filled with awareness-realisation.To live such a life means to live with the realisation of God’s love for us. The person who realises the presence of this love becomes a new creation. Lord Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing"(Jn 15:5). The life of one who becomes aware of God’s presence within him will bear much fruit. The commandment of love which Jesus gave, will become the principle of life for him because he will recognise the presence of God in the other. He will respond to God’s holy will and yield fruit-thirty, sixty and a hundred fold.

Once we enter into this awareness of the divine Indwelling there is no room for fear or anxiety in our life. The presence of the living God, who said, "Fear not! I am with you" (Is 41:10), will make us brave. "I shall be with you till the end of the ages, " (Mt 28:20) Jesus has promised. He does not leave us alone even for a moment. Why then should we fear or be anxious?

We must never forget the deadly enemy, sin, which destroys this awareness of God’s abiding presence . Look at the garden of Eden. When the first parents sinned they were banished from the paradise experience of God’s presence (cf Gen 3:23). Samson, who strayed from the path of God, lost his strength (Judges 16:20). When Saul anointed by God, sinned and opposed God, God’s spirit left him (cf 1 Sam 16:14). These examples illustrate the destroying power of sin. When man sins, he separates himself from God and tries to find satisfaction in worldly pleasures and vain desires. But he cannot sustain himself.