29 May 2025

St. Paul reveals our true condition when he concludes his great essay on love with these famous words, ‘For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’

Jesus helps us to discover the face of God. In the Beatitudes, he gives us a clue.  ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’ Whilst this is something to which we aspire and fail day by day, there are other avenues in which we may catch a glimpse of the face of God.

God  continues to walk the earth in the most unusual guises. In providing hospitality for strangers like Cleopas and his friend at the village of  Emmaus, we are assured by the writer to the Hebrews that in showing hospitality to strangers we ‘have  entertained angels unawares.’

In welcoming a child into our community of faith, Jesus says, ‘Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name, welcomes me.’ This is especially true in the Sacrament of Baptism.

And St. Matthew assures that we will be judged by our failure to provide food, clothing, warmth and love for those who are poor for, ‘Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.’ says Jesus.

There is an old Celtic Rune which reminds us of our duty to put food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, music in the listening place, for ‘Often, often, often, goes the Christ  in the stranger’s guise.’ Today is our opportunity to discover the face of Christ in child, friend or stranger.

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