Villa La Paz Newsletter December 2017

Incarnation: Christian Theol.
Effectuation of the hypostatic union through the conception of the Second Person of the Trinity in the womb of the Virgin Mary

Hypostasis: Christian Theol.
the union of the wholly divine nature and of a wholly human nature in the one person of Jesus Christ (in full hypostatic union)

Kenosis: Christian Theol.
the voluntary abasement of the Second Person of the Trinity in becoming man

Webster’s New World Dictionary
Third College edition

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through Him and without Him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race, 5 the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory of the Father’s only son full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-5, 14

Once again we contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation, the entering into space and time of Infinite Being. And when we ponder the motives for the enfleshing of our God, His infinite, unconditional love and desire to be reconciled with us, to be one with the created, to be like us in all things but sin, we can only marvel at His total self-giving and self-emptying. We experience His love daily in our home among our children and volunteers. For us, as for most, Christmas can be bittersweet. Sweet because we share the joy of Christmas with loved ones. Bitter because we remember those who we have loved and are no longer physically with us. There are several children who come to mind, who brought joy to our lives and who have left us with wonderful memories. Julia came to us as a child of 6 years with a diagnosis of leukemia. She remained with us 9 years, undergoing various cycles of chemotherapy. She always had a smile on her face, was always willing to help the other children, was obedient and a serious student, a shining example for the other children. Despite aggressive treatments she succumbed last year. Yostin was a beautiful child who suffered from severe congenital heart disease and malnutrition. He was bright, alert, with an infectious laugh and loved to climb out of the crib and roll on the floor. Despite the severity of his condition surgery was attempted but was unsuccessful and he succumbed in the postoperative period. Flor was another child with leukemia. Her condition was very aggressive and despite powerful chemotherapy drugs and a succession of blood transfusions she did not enter into remission. Her father came to return her to her village where only comfort measures would be administered but he arrived on the same day that the children were leaving for an outing. Despite being very ill and anemic Flor insisted on going with the other children. She rode the bumper cars, mounted a horse and thoroughly enjoyed herself, displaying courage and joy despite the severity of her illness and knowledge of her impending demise. Liliana, our dancing girl, loved to participate in various activities in the home with nonstop dancing, never seeming to tire and manifesting a zest for life delightful to behold. She never tired of playing pranks on the other children and despite being mischievous was a delight to be around. She also succumbed to leukemia after 2 years of painful treatments. We also remember one of our volunteers, Tío Frank (Uncle Frank). Frank began to volunteer with us at 75 years of age. He said he wanted to give back to God Who had been so good to him and what better way than to help children. He would come every year and spend 3 to 4 months with us. He did not speak a word of Spanish but did not need to. His constant smile radiated love and he endeared himself to the children, employees of the home and other volunteers. On his birthday he would ask for donations to the home instead of gifts. Several years ago, while caring for a friend with a rare form of cancer, he suddenly passed away. We had a mass celebrated in the home after learning of his passing and the home was filled with local persons who had come to know and love Tío Frank during his daily “constitutionals”, his afternoon walks through the streets of our village.

Even though they have gone from our sight, they are still with us, for as the Spirit of God dwells in us, all who have lived in that Spirit dwell in us also.

Living a spiritual life makes our little fearful hearts as wide as the universe, because the spirit of Jesus dwelling within us embraces the whole of creation. Jesus is the Word, through whom the universe has been created. As Paul says: “In Him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and invisible – all things were created through Him and for Him – in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore when Jesus lives within us through His Spirit, our hearts embrace not only all people but all of creation. Love casts out all fear and gathers in all that belongs to God. Prayer, which is breathing with the Spirit of Jesus, leads us to this immense knowledge.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

This Christmas we will carry Julia, Yostin, Flor, Liliana and Tío Frank in our hearts, and you, dear friends, will carry in your hearts all those who you have loved and are no longer physically with you. They are closer to you now than they were before.

Dear Lord, help us to realize during this Christmas season that you are ever with us. Help us to realize also that all those you have placed in our lives will also be ever with us. Give us the grace to realize and understand that we carry our departed loved ones in our hearts until we are face-to-face with them again in our heavenly home.

Wishing all of you God’s joy and peace during the Christmas celebrations and in 2018. Please remember us in your prayers as we remember you in ours.