Chaplain's Reflection
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.” (John 10:11-18). Maybe God’s unconditional love is waiting to embrace the whole world. Now that’s something to look forward to!
Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of April 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the role of women.
Pope's April prayer intention: 'for the role of women'
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Francis' monthly prayer intention this April is for "the role of women."
The Pope invited the Church to pray for this intention in this month's The Pope Video, which is entrusted to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.
In The Pope Video for April, the Holy Father insists on the steps today’s society needs to take, and asks Christians to join him in prayer “that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.”
Pope Francis’ denunciation
The Pope in his video illustrates the huge gap that exists between declared principles and actual practice.
“In theory, we all agree that men and women have the same dignity as persons. But this does not play out in practice," he noted.
The Pope provides concrete examples, citing “discriminatory laws” currently in force: mandatory dress codes, impediments to ongoing education, denial of assistance for job opportunities. And he recalls that “in many countries, genital mutilation is still practiced.”
Thus, he said, “governments need to commit to eliminate” this discrimination and “work toward guaranteeing women’s human rights.”
He asks us all to respect women, who unfortunately continue to be treated “like something to get rid of,” and who are often victims of violence and abuse in many parts of the world, even in countries claiming to be more advanced. “And if we don’t [respect women],” the Pope adds, “our society will not progress.”
Vatican News April 4 2004
Deacon Mark Kelly
College Chaplain