...creation
waits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God…We know
that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only
that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also
groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope, we were saved. Romans 8
We long
to see God's face, but as Saint Peter Chrysologus reminds us, how can our
"narrow human vision apprehend God, whom the whole world cannot
contain?" Still, we are filled with yearning, we have come to know and
understand that nothing else, nothing less than Christ Jesus himself can
satisfy the desire of our hearts. We groan inwardly. Peter Chrysologus
says:
Love does
not reflect; it is unreasonable and knows no moderation. Love refuses to be
consoled when its goal proves impossible, despises all hindrances to the
attainment of its object. Love destroys the lover if he cannot obtain what he
loves; love follows its own promptings and does not think of right and wrong.
Love inflames desire which impels it toward things that are forbidden. But why
continue? It is intolerable for love not to see the object of its longing.
That is why whatever reward they merited was nothing to the saints if they
could not see the Lord. A love that desires to see God may not have
reasonableness on its side, but it is the evidence of filial love. It gave
Moses the temerity to say: If I have found favor in your eyes, show me
your face. It inspired the psalmist to make the same prayer: Show me
your face. Even the pagans made their images for this purpose: they wanted
actually to see what they mistakenly revered. Sermon 147
In Christ Jesus God has revealed his blessed face to us. In ChristJesus our hope, our longing will never ever be disappointed.
