Lord, Let Me See Your Face in 2023

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Kintore College on December 31, 2022 to inaugurate the New Year.

Today's first reading is from the book of Numbers 6, when Moses is told exactly how the priests are to bless.

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you
 and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you
 and give you peace.”’

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

This is one of the earliest blessing formulas conserved to us. In the biblical tradition, the contemplation of the face of God is associated with intimacy. How can we feel the face of God gazing upon us this year with all the hardships and challenges and joys that await?

Music: Nascosta Rosa, sung by the Roman College of Holy Mary in Rome.

Thumbnail: The Volto Santo di Manoppello, the Holy Face of Manoppello, Italy.