God’s loving presence embraces all of us
At the heart of Christian faith lies a simple and incontrovertible truth: God is present, loving and faithful. His presence is not distant or conditional, but intimate and compassionate. God dwells within every human life, irrespective of whether you are a saint, a sinner or somewhere in between.
For LGBTQ Catholics, whose faith journeys are often marked by complexity and vulnerability, this truth offers both consolation and direction. They can live safe in the knowledge that we are all lovingly held by God at every moment.
Scripture affirms time and again that each human life is willed, cherished and sustained by God. Creation is always a blessing, and our stories, relationships, questions and identities are never beyond God’s loving gaze. He seeks what is lost, rejoices in what is found and calls people not to exclusion but to communion, reconciliation and joy.
This vision resonates deeply with the spiritual wisdom of the Carmelite tradition, particularly in the writings of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, whose reflections in The Practice of the Presence of God offer a profound path for anyone seeking to live faithfully amid ordinary life—and speak with special clarity to those who have felt unseen or misunderstood.
God is near—always
Brother Lawrence discovered that holiness does not depend on extraordinary circumstances, spiritual achievements or moral perfection. Instead, it flows from a simple, loving awareness of God’s presence in every moment. Whether he was praying in the chapel or working in the kitchen, he sought to remain in quiet conversation with God—not through many words, but through attentive love.
This insight reminds us that God is not found only in ideal conditions, but also in the real circumstances of our lives: in moments of joy and pain, clarity and uncertainty, belonging and struggle. This means that our lived experiences—including our questions, wounds and hopes—are not obstacles to God, but places of encounter.
Living in God’s presence does not require us to resolve every tension at once. It asks only that we turn our hearts toward God with honesty and trust. A simple intention—“God, I am here with you”—can transform even the most ordinary moment into sacred ground.
From fear to trust
Many of us carry deep spiritual wounds shaped by fear: fear of rejection, fear of being unworthy, fear that God’s love may somehow exclude us. Yet the heart of the Gospel calls us away from fear and toward trust. God does not relate to us through condemnation, but through mercy. God’s desire is not to erase our humanity, but to heal and draw it into fullness.
Brother Lawrence teaches that when we fail or feel distant from God, the response is not self-punishment, but a gentle return to God’s presence. He wrote that even our weaknesses can become occasions for grace if they lead us back to humble dependence on God’s love. This perspective can be deeply healing. It shifts the spiritual life away from constant self-examination and toward relationship. God becomes not a distant evaluator, but a faithful companion—walking with us, listening and loving us into wholeness.
Faith rooted in presence, not performance
In many religious contexts, faith can feel like a test: Am I doing enough? Am I acceptable? Do I belong? Brother Lawrence offers a radically different vision. He insists that God looks not at the grandeur of our actions, but at the love with which they are done. This means that faith is not measured by flawless obedience or spiritual intensity, but by availability—the willingness to live attentively in God’s presence. Washing dishes, caring for a friend, studying, working, resting or grieving can all become acts of prayer when offered with Love.
One’s spiritual life does not depend on fitting into narrow expectations. Instead, it unfolds in daily faithfulness: choosing kindness, seeking truth, nurturing relationships and returning again and again to God’s presence with sincerity.
A journey towards reconciliation and wholeness
The Christian journey is ultimately a journey of reconciliation—with God, with others and with ourselves. Many of us, including LGBTQ Catholics, experience fragmentation: a sense of being divided between faith and identity, church and self, hope and fear. God’s presence gently draws us towards integration and peace.
Living in God’s presence invites us to accept ourselves as beloved—not as problems to be solved, but as people called into relationship. This acceptance does not end growth or discernment; rather, it creates the safety in which authentic growth becomes possible. Reconciliation also extends outwards. As we experience God’s compassion, we are called to reflect it; to become people who welcome, listen and accompany others with respect and tenderness irrespective of religious, cultural, racial or sexual differences. This is what God’s inclusive love is all about.
Practicing the presence of God in daily life
How might this spirituality take shape concretely?
- Begin the day with intention: Upon waking, offer the day to God, asking for awareness of God’s presence in all things.
- Pause and return: throughout the day, gently return your attention to God—especially in moments of stress or self-doubt.
- Offer ordinary actions: see daily tasks as opportunities to love God and neighbour, no matter how simple or unseen.
- Practice self-compassion: treat yourself with the same patience and mercy that God offers you.
- Stay connected in community: God’s presence is often mediated through others; through shared prayer, conversation and mutual support.
These practices do not demand perfection; they invite faithfulness: a quiet, steady trust that God is already at work within us. We are all called to be where God’s presence is recognized and honored: a place of prayer, listening, healing and joy. Spiritual life is not about escaping the world, but living fully within it. Accompanied by God. In this companionship, we find strength to persevere, courage to love and hope to believe that our lives—just as they are—matter deeply to God.
