“Let Israel rejoice in the one who made him.” What is “Israel”? One who sees God: that’s the meaning of the word “Israel.” Let the one who sees God rejoice in him by whom he was made. What, then, brothers and sisters, when we say that we belong to the Church of the saints, do we already see God? How are we Israel, if we don’t see God. There is a seeing at this time, and there will be another seeing in the future. The seeing that now is sees through faith; the seeing that is to come is by sight. If we believe, we see; if we love, we see. What do we see? God. Where is this God? Ask John: “God is love” 1 Jn 4:16). Let us bless his holy name, and let us rejoice in God if we rejoice in love. If someone has love, why would we send him far away in order to see God? Let him attend to his own consciousness, and there he sees God. If love does not dwell there, God does not dwell there. If love dwells there, God dwells there. Perhaps he wishes to see God enthroned in heaven. Let him have charity, and God dwells there just as he does in heaven. (EnPs 149, 4; PL 37, 1951)

Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, professor emeritus of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

Also by this author
© 2024 Commonweal Magazine. All rights reserved. Design by Point Five. Site by Deck Fifty.