Finding God

I really like the vision of ministry that Nouwen describes:  "It is the vision that ministry means first of all searching for God where people are lost, confused, broken, and poor.  Often I have gone to such people to bring them back to God, to the sacraments, and to the church.  But that is acting and living as if God is where I am, and as if my first task is to bring others to my place.  When, however, God is with the poor and marginal, then I have to dare to go there, live there, and find him there.  I now realize that I can be with people without having to make them think my thoughts and say my words.  I can be free to listen and slowly to discern where God shows his merciful face to me." (From Nouwen's "Latin American Journal - ¡Gracias!" - journal entry on Wednesday, February 10, 1982

The only problem I find here is my recent struggle with the theology of liberation.  What, exactly, are we seeking to liberate people from?  If we can find God among the poor and the oppressed - does liberating them move them to a place that is further away from God?  Does the alleviation of suffering bring people to a place more like my own - where it is difficult to find God?  But, actually, I don't find God elusive.  Maybe the liberation from poverty and oppression involves with it an acknowledgement that once we have been liberated, we must choose to return to the dark places - to walk with those who cannot find the light.  Perhaps this is a whisper of the calling that Mother Teresa heard to "Come be my light."