Seeking the Face of God

 





Wednesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time 


Ezra 9:5-9

Tobit 13:2,4,6-8

Luke 9:1-6



In our first reading, we are blessed with Ezra’s stunning prayer, inviting us to turn away from our sinful past and embrace God’s incredible gift of kindness! One key Hebrew word we can’t overlook is “suv,” meaning “to turn.” It calls us to shift our gaze from life’s temptations to the glorious Face of God. The New Testament echoes this powerful theme with the Greek word “metanoia,” which urges us to change our minds and truly understand God and His kingdom! 



In English, we have several captivating terms to express this transformation—conversion, repentance, and those profound afterthoughts about sin and God’s unwavering care for us! Sin is the utmost disaster we can face, and we must earnestly seek God’s healing and forgiveness. Even more importantly, we must turn our faces towards the brilliant Face of God, shining through Christ, who is the very image of the Father!



We need to envision God in a much grander and exhilarating way! Our thoughts about His extraordinary love should change dramatically. What God has in store for us is beyond anything we could ever dream of—far surpassing the wildest imaginings of our hearts and minds! Biblical “repentance” isn’t just about reflecting on our wayward sins; it’s about being captivated by God’s astounding love for us! We are irresistibly drawn into the magnificent love life of the Trinity.



Jesus shares some of the most thrilling insights about this intimate relationship with God! He boldly proclaims, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9). These words are nothing short of breathtaking! The depth of Jesus’ love for us mirrors the Father’s love for His “Only Begotten.” How could these words be even more powerful? When John the Baptist exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God,” it was the most awe-inspiring sight one could ever witness! Pope Benedict XVI beautifully encapsulated this, declaring, “Everything depends on the intimate friendship with Jesus !” Let’s embrace this excitement and dive into the profound love that awaits us!

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