Image of God

John’s second reading (1 John 3:1-2) has tantalised us for many centuries, reminding us that, “what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that, when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.” Our Catholic Catechism affirms that “man was destined to be fully human and fully divinised by God in glory’ (Cat 398), “The word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature …. for the Son of God became human that we might become God” (Cat 4601). Astonishingly, as Pope Francis teaches us, “God carefully fashioned us, loves us unconditionally, delights in us at every moment and is now flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone.”

We gain a glimpse of Godself when we learn to really look at what’s before us, the delight and pain that’s around us; when we feel something of the hidden joy and despair of others,their desire for life and their cold despair. Daniel O’Leary tells us, “Once we commit to identifying God’s intimate presence in our evolving sensual perception of the world’s most beautiful artistry, creativity and imagination, in our every breath and heartbeat, in our daily darkness and invincible light, then we are (already) living the incarnation of God in Jesus.” (O’Leary, An Astonishing Secret p13). That’s at least a part of “how he really is.” And is this future, bonded with our Creator, just for an exclusive club? Well, no! Jesus tells us, “there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.” (John10:11-18). Maybe God’s unconditional love is waiting to embrace the whole world. Now that’s something to look forward to!

Deacon Mark Kelly