CowPi Journal

There is a moment in each day that Satan cannot find.

— William Blake

I saw this quote today. My mind searched for a specific time or label for this moment in each day. I was tempted to answer, “Now. Now, the present moment, is the moment Satan cannot find.”

Many of the saints, and especially the mystics, say that God can only be found in the present moment, in the now. The past is done and over, and the future is not yet to be. Being is now, present tense, and God is being. God is eternally present to every when. You really only exist in the present. So if God is now, then Satan cannot be.

But that is not completely correct. If you are distracted from being in the now, then you are not being present to God. That does not mean you are sinning, but it at least opens the door for the possibility. Satan is very good at distracting us from God in the present moment by focusing our attention to the past or to the future. He has many, many overt and subtle methods.

So, God is definitely in the now, but Satan can be there too, if we let him distract us. But where is this moment in each day that Satan cannot be found?

As in math, let’s go back to definitions. The one that always works is “God is love.” Satan cannot be found in a moment of love. I suppose he could be, but he would have no influence there. A moment of love is a moment when you forget about yourself and give to another. That can be in a moment of true prayer or when you are serving another. That’s it. It always comes back to love, doesn’t? 🙂

We remember the 168 victims (149 adults and 19 children), the survivors (30 children were orphaned), and their families of the Oklahoma City Bombing at 9:02 am on April 19, 1995. Our prayers go out for you.

We come here to remember those who were killed,
those who survived and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

Each of the 168 chairs, representing the victims of the bombing, are lit at night to remind us of the light within each and every soul. From across the reflecting pool, you can see how that light, even though the person it represents is not visible, still affects, and reflects, in us today.

If you are ever passing through town, please stop and visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial. It will be well worth your time.

The Jerusalem Cross has four smaller crosses around a large central cross. The five crosses represent the five wounds of Christ. When the large cross represents Christ, the four smaller crosses can represent many things—the four Gospels by the four Evangelists; the mission to spread the Good News to the four corners of the world; the four parts of a person (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual).

I would like to add that the four smaller crosses represent today, and every day since—the Fourth Day—the day after Christ’s three days in the tomb. With His Passion completed on Friday, His time in the tomb, and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday, we now live His Fourth Day.

I have added a red heart to the center of the traditional Jerusalem Cross. Through grace, our hearts are to be transformed into the heart of Jesus, to love as He loves. And through all our journeys, we are to keep our heart on Christ. For at the center of Christ is Love, the heart of it all.

How are you going to live your Fourth Day?

Addendum: You are welcome to copy and use the image of the Jerusalem Cross with the heart on your weblog or website as long as your website is for non-commercial purposes. A link to CowPi Journal would be appreciated but not required.

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell has been defeated.
The grave could not hold the King.

— “Arise, My Love” by Newsong