By Fr. Christopher Foeckler, MJ •  St. Josaphat Formation Center • Phoenix, AZ

We are exhorted at least 85 times in Sacred Scripture to “seek the Lord,” and specifically on many occasions to “seek the face of the Lord.” (cf. I Chron 6:11) There is so much meaning in this exhortation. First of all, a face to face encounter with anyone is something decidedly personal, one on one. Moreover, the face of a person is the most telling feature of their attitude and sentiment, of their thoughts and will towards others. The face reveals the person. The Blessed Virgin Mary prayed: “the Lord has looked upon His handmaid”…and she was blessed among women. (cf. Lk 2: ) while the whole of Pharaoh’s army was thrown into panic by a glance from the Lord. (cf. Ex 14:24)

Moses longed to see the Lord and begged Him for that privilege. But the Lord responded that in this world it was not possible to see the face of the Lord as Scripture explains here and elsewhere, “no one can see the face of God and live.” (cf. Ex 33:20)

But why, especially if we are exhorted so to seek His face, can we not behold it here in this life? It is because God is Goodness Itself, and we who are created as rational creatures to desire the good would want no other lesser good if we were to see Goodness itself! Food, air, others, even life wouldn’t matter to us anymore. All we would want and only be satisfied with would be to possess that Goodness – God Himself, which is reserved for the next life.

The fulfillment of all human desire is to see the face of God! We seek now in this world with faith and hope knowing of the beauty and goodness of the Lord by His works and His grace, and we are assured by the Lord that those who seek, shall indeed find. (cf. Lk 11:9)

The blessing that the Lord gave Moses to teach to the priests of Israel is a beautiful reflection of this: “The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Num 6:24-26)

This month of November, as we remember in a special way all our dearly beloved who have died, we invoke this prayerful blessing for them. Our eternal destiny is all about seeing God face to face. May we all, one day together, see His face!

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