[ From the
chapter on The Absence of God ]
Therefore,
the
first
thought
we ought
to
have when we
do
not
tangibly
perceive the divine presence, is a thought of gratitude. God
is merciful; He does not come in an untimely way. He gives
us a chance to judge ourselves, to understand and not to
come into His presence at a moment when it would mean
condemnation.
I would like to give you an example of this.
Many years ago a man came to see me. He asked
me to
show
him
God. I told him I could not but I added that even if I
could, he would not be able to see Him, because I thought –
and I do think - that to meet God one must have something in
common with Him, something that gives you eyes to see,
perceptiveness to perceive. He asked me then why I thought
as I did, and I suggested that he should think a few moments
and tell me whether there was any passage in the Gospel that
moved him particularly, to see what the connection was
between him and God. He said “Yes, in the eighth chapter of
the Gospel according to St John, the passage concerning the
woman taken in adultery.” I said, “Good, this is one of the
most beautiful and moving passages. Now sit back and
ask
yourself, who are you in the scene which is described? Are
you the Lord,
or at least on
His side, full of mercy, of understanding and full of faith
in this woman who can repent and become a new creature? Are
you the woman taken
in adultery? Are you one
of the older men who walk out at once because they are aware
of their own sins, or one of the young ones who wait?” He
thought for a few minutes then
said “No, I feel I am the only Jew who would not have walked
out but who would have stoned the woman.” I said “Thank God
that He does not allow you to meet Him face to face.”
