There are three ways in which God is present in the soul. The first is His presence in essence …. This presence never fails in the soul. The second is His presence by grace…. no soul can know in a natural way whether it has it or not. The third is His presence by spiritual affection. God is wont to show His presence in many devout souls in divers ways, in refreshment, joy and gladness.’ (St. John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, stanza xi. 2.) ’In every soul, even that of the greatest sinner in the world, God dwells and is substantially present. David Reese, mythouhgts, thoughtsofgod, thoughts of God