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.” “When you learn
to really look at what’s before you, the delight and pain that’s around you; when you feel something
of the hidden joy and despair of others, their desire for life and their cold despair”…. “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!

Deacon Mark Kelly