Jesus says God seeks us out when we are lost. God also manifests himself when we are not necessarily lost, but just kind of clueless. So, how does this actually happen? Let’s look at a few ways.

Food. Food you can eat when you are hungry. Like, pancakes, or hot bowls of ramen, or rib eye steaks. A sign of God’s presence.

Derek Jeter’s last at bat at Yankee Stadium. I mean, come on. Are you kidding me? Come on!!! Another sign.

Mass times. Not only can you go to Sunday mass at, say, 9:30, or 11am, you can also go at 5pm on Saturday night. That’s right. You can go to Sunday mass on Saturday. This makes no sense. But it’s true. All things are possible. God seeking us out.

The fervent enthusiasm of your 7th graders as you introduce to them the American musical phenomenon known as Pearl Jam (“Given to Fly,” in particular.)

And much, much more.

In a reverse of the Ignatian creed, God seeks us in all things. He never gives up, and he will use anything he can to reach us.

—Joe Hoover, S.J. is a Jesuit brother writing and acting in New York. He serves as poetry editor of America magazine and also works at St. Ignatius Grammar School.