God is our home, God lives in us

“The central theme is the dual nature of the Church as both a sanctuary and a place of mission, mirroring the tension in Christian identity between what is known and what is yet to be discovered”

The second meditation Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe delivered during the retreat that preceded the Synod for Synodality is titled “Finding Our Place in God and God’s Presence Within Us.”

Father Radcliffe expresses the idea that “God has chosen to reside within us, embracing all our imperfections indefinitely.”

He affirms that God’s presence endures in our Church, even in the face of misconduct and wrongdoing. He concludes by emphasizing our reliance on the Church, acknowledging its current imperfections, while also recognizing its vital role in providing us with the boundless, Spirit-infused environment of our forthcoming home.

In this address, Radcliffe reflects on the idea of the Church as a home and the tensions that arise from differing interpretations of what that home represents.

He emphasizes the need to balance the aspects of a familiar, traditional Church and an inclusive, open Church.

The central theme is the dual nature of the Church as both a sanctuary and a place of mission, mirroring the tension in Christian identity between what is known and what is yet to be discovered.

Radcliffe highlights that every culture has its own concept of home, drawing from various examples such as Asia’s humility when crossing a threshold, Oceania’s boat imagery, and Africa’s vision of the Church as a diverse family.

These images collectively convey the idea that home should be a place of acceptance and challenge, where individuals are affirmed but also encouraged to grow in their faith.

The talk delves into the current crisis of homelessness in the world, both physical and spiritual, with millions of migrants seeking refuge, people experiencing isolation, and the breakdown of traditional family structures.

He connects the need for a renewed Church as a common home to address these global challenges.

The story of the Transfiguration is used as a reference point to discuss the idea of home within the Church.

Jesus invites his closest disciples to witness his divine glory