The Monthly Note
December 2011
The face of God
"You must love one another just as I have loved you." (John 13, 34)
by Denis Gagnon, O.P.
Nothing speaks more for itself than a face. A wrinkle reveals wisdom. A frown manifests preoccupation. A dimple evokes youth. A snub-nose means mischievousness. The eyes may be sad or sparkling. The face can say it all. It opens the door on all the life.
Since their appearance on Earth, humans longed to see God, to see His face. With, deep inside of them, the fear of dying from it. The face of God must be so blinding and invasive. On the mountain, during a spiritual experience, the prophet Elijah hides his face from fear of being struck down by the gaze of God. It’s with his back turned that Moses, trembling all over, caught a glimpse of God.
One day, God decided to show His face. Finally, said all humanity. Under the features of a man, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary, we saw the face of God, a face of goodness, a face that is alive, that greets, that is full of attention, that forgives.
May men and women, young and old, were seduced by the face of Jesus. They chose to follow Him. When He left, deep inside of them, they longed to see Him again, to contemplate again and forever this unique face. From generation to generation, they transmitted this hope, all the more that Jesus promised to return to wipe away the tears from all faces at to make everyone laugh.
In the crazy laugh of a child who thinks of Christmas, show us your crazy child life. In the anguish of the elderly that feels death coming, show us your anguish in the time of agony. In the eyes of a man and woman that just chose their wedding date, show us your enamoured eyes. In the eyes of the jobless that doesn’t know how he will make it, show us your abandoned face. In the victims of terrorism, show us your face that no one respects anymore. In the student that is passionate for justice, show us your face that doesn’t quit. In the smile of the sick who hopes to be healed, show us your gaze that believes in the future.
On this side of life, the face of God is marked by thousands of features taken from men and women who, in all time and place, mirror the face of Jesus. We are never that close to God when we meet a brother or a sister in humanity.
The staff ofSaint-Jude Apostolic Works wishes you and yours a Merry and Blessed Christmas.