“Rosendo,” said Josè, returning to his chair, “you have 61 asked what God looks like. I cannot say, for God must be mind, unlimited mind. He has all knowledge and wisdom, as well as all power. He is necessarily eternal––has always existed, and always will, for He is entirely perfect and harmonious, without the slightest trace or taint of discord or evil.”
“Then you think He does not look like us?” queried the simple Rosendo.
“Mind does not look like a human body, Rosendo. And an infinite cause can be infinite only by being mind, not body. Moreover, He is unchanging––for He could not change and remain eternal. Carmen insists that He is everywhere. To be always present He must be what the Bible says He is spirit. Or, what is the same thing, mind. Rosendo, He manifests Himself everywhere and in everything––there is no other conclusion admissible. And to be eternal He has got to be absolutely good!”
“But, Padre,” persisted Rosendo, “who made the devil?”
“There is no devil!”
“But there is wickedness––”
“No!” interrupted Josè emphatically. “God is infinite good, and there can be no real evil.”
“But how do you know that, Padre?”
“I can’t say how I know it––it reasons out that way logically. I think I begin to see the light. Can you not see that for some reason Carmen doesn’t admit the existence of evil? And you know, and I know, that she is on the right track. I have followed the opposite path all my life; and it led right into the slough of despond. Now I have turned, and am trying to follow her. And do you put the thought of Satan out of your mentality and do likewise.”
“But, the Virgin Mary––she has power with God?” Rosendo’s primitive ideas were in a hopeless tangle.