Several years ago, a student at the University of Washington had become addicted to viewing pornography. He knew it was a sin because it prevented him from seeing women as persons and dissipated his energy. One day while reading the Bible, he came across this passage, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." (Matt 5:28-29). Reading it literally he actually plucked out his eye.

What is the difference between this young man's actions and the action of another young man who heard the words, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (Matt 19:21)? We know this second young man as Francis of Assisi.

The difference is that the community, the Church, validated the interpretation and action of St. Francis and tells those who feel called to live as he did to do so. Had the first young man asked about plucking out his eye, the Church would have said to him, "Do not tear out your eye. Jesus is using hyperbole to make a point that those who wish to follow him must be serious about doing so."

Yes, God can speak to a person through a single word or sentence from the Bible as he did to St. Francis or St. Therese of Liseux, but most often it is through the Biblical stories that God speaks to a person.

It is worth noting here that there are a variety of ways of hearing the Biblical stories. These same stories come alive in the of the saints. Devotions such as the praying the Rosary and Stations of the Cross are in reality stories of Christ's life. Those who pray the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary and pray, "may we imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise" know how to recognize and respond to God's presence in their lives. Finally art, music, drama, literature, both fiction and non-fiction, can help a person recognize and respond to God's loving and life-giving presence in their life. For instance parents who have lost a child can gaze on Michelangelo's Pieta and in their deep sorrow know that God will restore them to life.

It is also worth noting that there is a good deal of practical wisdom or common sense about how to live life in the proverbs, sayings and stories of the Bible.

In different ways and at different times, God speaks to one's heart through Biblical stories. One can hear or read the same story again and again and each time learn something new about God's love and how one is to live.

When God spoke to Moses in the burning bush, he said, "I am who I am." (Ex 3:14) This is the genetic code of the Bible. The first "I am" means that God is with us in a way we can understand. He is the one who leads his people safely through the waters of the Red Sea, feeds them and guides them to the Promised Land. The second "I am" means that God is the God of Mystery who leads us in ways we would not choose. This is the God who asks us to trust Him no matter what.

The following Biblical stories and interpretation are meant to be illustrative of just one way a person might know that God is present and leading a person to Goodness, Order and Life.