The God Squad: More questions from Mercy Catholic High School

A: No. God has a map for us not a plan for us. If we follow the map, then God has a plan, and that plan is for each of us to use our blessings to fix the world.

Q: From M: I have been to Catholic school my whole life, and at my elementary and middle school, I used to attend church at least once a week. Now that I am in high school, my life has been so busy with work, sports, and school, that I have never found the time to go to church during the week. Thank you so much for listening to my questions and I hope you can get back to me.

A: If you have a regular habit of brushing your teeth and if you have a regular habit of exercising and if you have a regular habit of eating healthy foods, then just use the force in your soul that enabled you to brush your teeth to find a way to make it to Mass. And when you attend Mass, tell the priest that it was a rabbi who got you to go.

Q: From R: Why should I want to believe in God when I am content otherwise? Nobody in my family is religious, and it has never been a part of my life, so why should I be made to believe I am less than for not wanting to? Thanks!

A: You are not less for not wanting to be religious. However, you could be more. Knowing that God is with you will make you more.

Q: From S: How do we know that God wants us to continue fighting for something and that he truly does not want us to give up yet? My second question is, how do we know that God has forgiven us when we do wrong? Thanks.

A: You know that God wants you to continue to fight for the good by just pausing for a moment to reflect on how crummy you feel when you do give up.

Q: From A: How do you differentiate between signs from God and mere coincidences? Do you believe angels walk the earth to help human beings?

A: A sign from God is just a coincidence viewed by a particularly enthusiastic observer with a rich and pious life.

Q: From A: As a busy teenager I know it may be hard to prioritize practicing faith as a part of one’s daily routine, how and what do you recommend to teens, myself included, that can strengthen our relationship with God?

A: End each day with this prayer, “God this is the good I did today.” Then list the good you did. Begin each day with this prayer, “Thank you, God.” Those two prayers should do it for you.

Q: From N: Good morning, Rabbi Gelman! There are a multitude of theories on what being alive means. Personally, my favorite is that we are living in a simulation. With how complex and interconnected the world is, it makes the most sense to me. That being said, I do believe in a Higher Power. So, how can I find God in this simulation?

A: Life is not a video game. Over and out.

(Send ALL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS to The God Squad via email at godsquadquestion@aol.com. Rabbi Gellman is the author of several books, including “Religion for Dummies,” co-written with Fr. Tom Hartman.)