Today's responsorial psalm perfectly says our prayer, O God, which is to "Seek the face of the Lord".
But, what is your face, O Lord that we must seek? Do you have a face like ours, now covered with masks due to pandemic? The author of Genesis claims you created us, O God, in your image and likeness but how can that be if you are spirit?
Indeed, the beloved disciple of Jesus was right: "nobody has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us" (1John 4:12). To seek your face, O Lord, is to be one in you, one with you. To seek your face, O Lord, is to be intimate with you. To seek your face, O Lord, is to be like you, holy and loving. To seek your face, O Lord, is to be pure and chaste in thoughts and in deeds like St. Mary Goretti who chose death than sin.
Forgive us, merciful Father, in choosing to love wealth and power, in becoming to look like money - so "mukhang pera" as we would say in Filipino for our hearts have become false as we turned away from you in sin.
Thank you that despite our sins, you continue to call us in Jesus Christ to be his apostles, being sent out to seek those who are lost; help us to always seek your face, Lord, for in every ministry, it is your face of mercy and love that we must share with everyone. Amen.
