The human possibility of the Vision of God is based on the spiritual nature of man. We are made in God's image and likeness meaning that our soul is immaterial, invisible and immortal with the powers of intelligence and free will. Since our soul is natural and God is supernatural the vision of God was an added gift originally willed by God for mankind. Sadly enough, mankind lost this gift with Original Sin, but God in his mercy has restored the gift of Heaven to mankind though his death and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ.

What does the face of God look like?

Nothing your eyes can see, your ears hear and your hands touch. St. Paul tells us that "Eye bath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1Cor 2:9) Some imagine that we shall gaze upon an object whose surpassing perfection will make us happy in a way we do not understand, but this is far from the reality. The essence of God's Face is explained by Fr. J. Boudreau, S.J., The happiness of Heaven, Tan Books Publishing Inc., Rockford, IL, 1984 (1870 Original)

"This vision of God is an intellectual act by which the soul is filled to overflowing with an intuitive knowledge of God: a knowledge so perfect and complete that all the knowledge of Him attainable in this world, by prayer and study, is like a feeble glimmer of the lamp compared to the dazzling splendor of the sun." (p. 8)
At the same instant the the sight of God's beauty, goodness and unspeakable love prompts the soul to love God with its whole being. "The blessed see God as He is, and therefore love Him spontaneously, intensely and supremely." (p. 11)
Finally we turn to the realization of our union with God. God does not change so the realization of our union with Him is something that God bring about in our soul. "God unites the soul to himself in so wonderful and intimate a manner, that, without losing her created nature or personal identity, she is transformed into God, [that is], ...we are 'made partakers of the divine nature,'" (2pt 1:4).

 

We compare this to a fall leaf penetrated by light which makes it luminous. It partakes of the nature of light while still remaining a leaf.

 

 

 

"If the face of a loved one clearly and completely changes us,
Making us cheerful, happy and carefree,
What will the Face of the Way of Heaven do
When he makes His presence felt invisibly,
Without imagination,
In a pure soul?"
(Christ the Eternal Tao, pp. 178-179)

 

At this point some may ask: "After the resurrection of the body, will we be able to see God with our bodily eyes?" Although God is pure spirit, even now we are able to perceive Him as a presence and see his attributes in creation through our bodily eyes. Through the heightened power of the senses of the glorified body, we will not see God as an external object but we shall see Him ever more clearly as the Presence and Wisdom of creatures ruling and guiding all them in an harmonious whole which will be the music of creation to our ears.

10. Be Thou My Vision