# Walking in praise with Pope Francis: God is everywhere
*2015-09-27*

> Bill Young reflects on the omnipresence of God in the universe and the need to recognize His presence in all people and creation.

## Gratitude for Mercy

We begin today by thanking and praising our Lord Jesus Christ. Recently, we offered prayers for Mexico as Hurricane Patricia, a Category 5 storm and one of the worst on record, headed toward the coast. It looked as though there would be major damage and loss of life, but the Lord heard our prayers. We praise Him for His mercy in sparing the people of Mexico from the worst of the storm.

## God Fills the Universe

We are continuing our 30-day journey walking with Pope Francis on the care of our common home. Today is day 27, titled "From the Inside to the Outside." The core truth we are reflecting on is that God is everywhere, in everyone, and in everything; God fills the universe.

## Recognizing the Divine in Creation

One of the first things we learn as Catholics and Christians is that God is omnipresent. Yet, our actions—our subduing habits, the way we pollute the earth, and the way we consider certain people or places as disposable—indicate that we have either forgotten or ignored this essential tenet. Pope Francis reminds us that God resides both in the soul and in all things.

## Opening Ourselves to God

We must begin to celebrate God's presence in everyone and everything around us. God is not one of our personal possessions; rather, we are meant to open ourselves to God's actions working through us.

*We are called to be truly aware of God's presence in our lives and to work with conviction to bring about a better world.*