Seek His Face

A Reflection on the Psalm for November 1st, 2020:
The Solemnity of All Saints

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PSALMS
24:1-6

R. Lord, this is the company of those who seek your face.

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the river.

R. Lord, this is the company of those who seek your face.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Someone who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up their soul to what is false.

R. Lord, this is the company of those who seek your face.

That person will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Lord, this is the company of those who seek your face.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

November is one of my favorite months. Its stark landscape quietly owns an unadorned beauty. It’s not by chance that the Catholic church chooses November to reflect on death and dying. Death for us is the gateway to eternal life; paradise — the end goal for every Christian.

Prior to commemorating and praying for the faithfully departed on November 2 (All Souls), the church solemnly celebrates the saints in heaven (All Saints) — for good reason! If we want to know what it means to die well and live in the Lord's company, the lives of the saints are great examples.

Lord, this is the company of those who seek your face.

A few years ago, I was on a retreat where God graciously allowed me to see His face more clearly than ever before. I saw everything I ever wanted. Yet my reaction worried me. Simultaneously, I was both riveted and repelled by His presence! How could this be? Does not God want us to draw near to Him and be with Him forever?

While I deeply longed for Him, I found I could not stand before the face of perfection; it was too painful (This concept is explored in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce). In the face of perfection, my weakness was glaring, my wounds exposed, the effects of my sin laid bare. The clearer His face, the clearer my own fallen state.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Someone who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up their soul to what is false.

With spiritual guidance, I came to recognize this experience as a gift. Heaven, being perfect, has no capacity for anything less. I realized, if I wish to spend forever with God, (and I do!) anything unvirtuous, unholy, or not good in me must go. There will be times I find myself uncomfortable in God's presence. But in these times, His mercy and grace are working overtime to free my heart from what is false, removing from my life what cannot withstand His presence. He has my eternity in mind! He desires heaven for me, and assures me I should not be worried.

That person will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

The saints sought the face of God humbly and repeatedly during their lifetimes. Our friends in heaven did some serious heart work on earth to let go and let God! And so they are vindicated and have received their salvation!

All Saints in Heaven, pray for me, that I may choose eternity! Show me how to seek His face!

​Give us Clean Hands




Michelynne Gomez
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