While on vacation in Ocean City, I mentioned to Brother Sean that my next web topic would be "The Face of God". He was puzzled and said, "How can God have a face, He is a spirit?" Quite correct! But if God has no face, how does he communicate with us? Here we are speaking allegorically, comparing our human face with God's. This is an appropriate comparison since our human face allows our spiritual soul to manifest who I am and to communicate with the outer world. So does the Creation for God become a manifestation of His Being.

As it is, the face of God can be seen dimly in creation and in the workings of the human soul. His face can be seen more clearly in the Old Covenant revelation. Finally, the "Face of God" can be seen through the human face of Christ, God's only Son made man. And what do we mean when we say that in heaven we shall see God face to face?

In Young's Literal translation of the Bible the word "face" is used 615 times. At times the word signifies the human face but most often in is used to signify another reality. For example, in Genesis the expression "face of the earth" is used often signifying the surface of the earth or mankind on its surface. Sometimes the word "face" is used to express an attitude of the mind, "Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem" (2kG 12:19) meaning that he had made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. On many occasions the expression "face to the ground" e.g. "Abigail ...fell to her face before David" (1Sm 25:23) is used as a sign of humility and respect toward another person especially the king. Ultimately "God's face" becomes a symbol whereby man encounters the personal God. For example,

Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving kindness. (Ps 31:15-17)

In the New Testament the expression "face to face" is used to signify our encounter with the personal God in the heavenly vision St. Paul states:

"Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;...."
(1 Cor 13:12)

Note: Brother Sean entered Eternal Life on February 6, 2007 in the 61st year of Religious Life in Holy Cross. Now he can see the "Face of God".

2. The Face of Wisdom