Beyond the Clouds by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, S.A.C. | Page 17

Let us salute the One who flies the entire Universe. Let us clap for the One
who pilots our own lives. This is the Almighty, the One true God; to whom
with love, we may call our Heavenly Father.
St. Vincent Pallotti experienced Him as a God of Infinite Love and Mercy.
Love, as we are His most precious creation, born from His own image and
likeness. Our soul “was not painted on canvas, it was not made of wood, stone,
or metal, but of a living, rational and spiritual substance which has its own
characteristics and substantial make-up being created by God.”
And Mercy, as He knew we were to be conceived in Original Sin, yet He still
gave us life! Thus- as Pallotti teaches us- our “soul, being created by God in
His image, is also a living image of His Mercy,” hence why we are “nothingness
and sin.” Through both Love and Mercy, God did not abandon us. He sent His
only Son, Jesus- the first Apostle- to save us, and give us life everlasting.
Which is precisely why Pope Francis says “we need to constantly contemplate
the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace.”
Love and Mercy are two anthropological realities we are called to face as
humans. On the one hand, we must view the preciousness of our being as the
image and likeness of God, while on the other, understanding that we are
finite and mortal.
Here is the ontological and theological foundation for both a healthy self-image
and self-esteem. Once we reach such a depth, we begin to remove all protective
layers, psychological defenses, and idols of immortality.
Emptying ourselves before God is to be left with true inner freedom, because
it is only He that fills us. We transcend with the knowledge that there is no
need to please others or to make a good impression. We have found the deepest
source of security: God loves us as we are. His love is steadfast and remains
forever! This is the freedom of being children of God. This is life in the Spirit.
To live in such freedom makes us truly humble before God. It is rooted both in
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