The hiddenness of God and the darkness of faith

The hiddenness of God and the darkness of faith

When I first began teaching theology, I fantasized about writing a book about the hiddenness of God. Why does God remain hidden and invisible? Why doesn’t God just show Himself plainly in a way that nobody can dispute?

Great Expectation, chapter 49, Miss Havisham begging to be forgiven, by F.A. Fraser

Getting rid of the bitterness

“I saw that everything within my view which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow. I saw that the bride within the bridal dress had withered like the dress, and like the flowers, and had no brightness left but the brightness of her sunken eyes.”

This screen capture shows Pope Francis reading a prayer message in a video released on the website, http://thepopevideo.org, Jan. 6. In the video, which features Catholics, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims, the pope called for dialogue among religions. The pope plans to release a monthly video prayer message on the site during the Holy Year of Mercy.

Pope prays for sincere dialogue among religions in video message

VATICAN CITY - In his first video prayer message of the year, Pope Francis asked people to join him in praying that interreligious dialogue lead to "peace and justice."

A man takes a copy of the latest edition of the French weekly Charlie Hebdo with the title “One year on, The assassin still on the run” displayed at a kiosk in Nice, France, on Jan. 6, 2016. France this week commemorates the victims of last year’s Islamist militant attacks on the satirical publication and a Jewish supermarket with eulogies, memorial plaques and another cartoon lampooning religion.

Vatican newspaper denounces ‘blasphemous’ Charlie Hebdo cover

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s newspaper has criticized French weekly Charlie Hebdo for manipulating faith in the magazine’s latest front page, which depicts a blood-soaked God armed with a Kalashnikov.

Pope Francis greets family members presenting the offertory gifts as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6.

Seek out signs God offers everyone for finding Jesus, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - Go out and seek the signs God is offering everyone today that will lead to Christ, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays in front of a Nativity scene during a Jan. 4 surprise visit to the Franciscan shrine in Greccio, Italy.

Away in a manger: Pope makes secret stop at Nativity scene's birthplace

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the place where his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, created the world's first Nativity scene.

Syro-Malankara Bishop Thomas Eusebios Naickamparambil is seen during a service in 2013 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y. On Jan. 4 Pope Francis appointed Bishop Naickamparambil the first bishop of the newly erected eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, of the U.S. and Canada.

Pope erects Syro-Malankara eparchy for Canada, U.S.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis erected a new Syro-Malankara eparchy for the United States and Canada. The pope also named Bishop Thomas Eusebios Naickamparambil, who served as the apostolic exarch for Syro-Malankaran Catholics in the United States, as its first bishop.

St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Vatican agreement with Palestine goes into effect

VATICAN CITY - A historic agreement signed between the Holy See and Palestine that supports a two-state solution in the Holy Land has gone into effect, the Vatican announced.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door before celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Jan. 1, 2016. The Holy Doors of Rome's four major basilicas are now open.

God's mercy knows 'no limits,' frees people from despair, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - God's ability to forgive "knows no limits" as his mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis leads Benediction during vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Eve at the Vatican Dec. 31.

Mercy enlightens past year, gives hope for new year, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - The gift of mercy is a light that helps Christians reflect on the past year and radiates hope at the start of the new year, Pope Francis said.

Human rights activists hold placards during a rally in early October against the death penalty in Peshawar, Pakistan.

In Peace Day message, Pope addresses death penalty, debt, migrants

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants.

Page 205 of 369