From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.