Villa La Paz Newsletter March 2023
Theophany: a manifestation of God or a diety
There is not a moment in which God does not present Himself under the cover of some pain to be endured, of some consolation to be enjoyed, or some duty to be performed. All that takes place within us, around us, or through us contains and conceals His divine action.
Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
We all exist solely for this-to be the human place God has chosen for His presence, His manifestation, His epiphany.
Thomas Merton
In Holy Communion we have Christ under the appearance of bread. In our work we find Him under the appearance of flesh and blood. It is the same Christ. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta One must see God in everyone.
Saint Catherine Labouré
Can you imagine what kind of world this would be if we saw God in everyone, if we recognized that the indwelling God is present in every person with whom we come into contact? Think of it! There would be no exclusion, no conflicts, no hunger, no poverty, only a love that unifies all, that makes us all one. Why do we resist the concept of theophany, the manifest presence of God in each other? Because to do so would demand a radical change in our way of being and living. Compassion and concern for persons we find disagreeable and want to avoid would enjoin us to interact and help them. The homeless, the addicted, the sick, the elderly, the demented, persons who some in society see as being a burden and not worthy of concern become as tabernacles of the living God and make us realize that the kingdom of God is among us as Our Lord so often states in the gospels. Are we, is the world ready for such a radical change? I would posit that we must undergo such a radical change. Our world is rushing headlong into an unsustainable morass of wars, terrorism, severe economic inequality, ethnic cleansing and other dire situations that are fueled by rampant individualism and a dearth of compassion which results from a lack of recognition that we all have the same Father Who indwells in us and makes us one.
We especially need to see the manifestation of God in the most vulnerable, our children. How many children die of preventable causes each day? Malnutrition, vaccine preventable illnesses, lack of clean water, absent medical care, severely deprived living conditions claim the lives of around 13,800 children a day, according to UNICEF. We cannot ignore this horrendous situation and must keep in mind the words of Our Lord in which he directly identifies with the poor and vulnerable: “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, you have done it to me.”
Matthew 25:37-40
God our Father, you always hear the cry of the poor. How many times have Christians themselves not recognized You in the hungry, the thirsty and the naked, in the persecuted and imprisoned, and in those incapable of defending themselves, especially in the first stages of life? For all those who have committed acts of injustice by trusting in wealth and power and showing contempt for the ‘little ones’ who are so dear to you, we ask your forgiveness. Have mercy on us and accept our repentance.
Pope Saint John Paul II
The children seen on these pages, and indeed all children, are the ‘little ones’ that God holds dear to his heart. We must open our hearts to those God puts in our way, be they the ‘little ones’ in our family, in our neighborhood, or half-a-world away.
God’s blessings on you and yours during 2023. We love you and wish you God’s peace. Please keep us in your prayers.
