Devotional Thought of the Day
¹  Take me as your pattern, just as I take Christ for mine. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NJB)

²⁷  God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NJB)

¹⁸  And all of us, with our unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the image that we reflect in brighter and brighter glory; this is the working of the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NJB)

Is our being made in the image and likeness of God something invisible, something confined, perhaps, to the soul? But if so, then it is not an image, for an image is, by its nature, something that can be seen. And, in fact, we can see the image—not in the momentary flash of photography, but in the demeanor that reveals a life: in the goodness of a mother, in the uprightness of a husband, in the fidelity of a friend in our time of trouble, in the patience of one who suffers, in the gentleness and maturity of one who prays. When we see these signs, we are seeing the image of God. (1)

Every once in a while you hear about Jesus image, maybe in a piece of toast, or a tortilla or pancake, or in some artifact.  It is kind of funny the fuss that is made over these things,

But what if I said I saw God’s image today, the glorious image of God, reflected in the face of an 89-year-old lady, or a two-year-old child, That claim might seem rather over the top.  There is a strong Biblical basis for it.  A basis recognized in the devotion I came across this morning.

I love how Cardinal Ratzinger sees the image of Christ, not in a static picture or print, but in a life lived reflecting the glory, the love and mercy of God.  The glory of God at work, redeeming and reconciling for Himself a people, and doing it through….. the people He has redeemed.  The people He has reconciled to Himself.  He causes them to love, as the Holy Spirit transforms them into the image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit molds them, and as Eph. 210 discusses – we are changed into a work of art, God’s great masterpiece,

A people who resemble their Lord and Savior, the One, who sent the Spirit, to focus them on Jesus, and transform them.

So the lady in my Bible Study, who always pauses to pray, and give thanks and know God’s love, in Her I see the image of God reflected.   In the two year old, who is most comfortable and most at peace at the altar, even though she can’t explain what happened in her baptism, in the friend who reaches out and listens, even though pressed for time.  In each the image of Christ is reflected, the glory of Christ is seen and known and experienced.

Lord, have mercy, and He shows He does, as people find the healing that is only in Christ while helping others heal.

Godspeed!

(1)  Ratzinger, J. (1992). Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for Every Day of the Year. (M. F. McCarthy & L. Krauth, Trans., I. Grassl, Ed.) (p. 219). San Francisco: Ignatius Press.