by Barbara Schoeneberger

Created on: February 05, 2010   Last Updated: February 07, 2010

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. (1 Cor. 13:12)

St. Paul writes first almost sadly of the "glass, darkly" and then joyfully: seeing God "face to face."  He speaks for all striving for a pure heart: we perceive now "in part" only, experiencing a painful longing to see God,  just as the lover is pained by separation from the beloved.  But then Paul evokes joy with the anticipation of being one with God in heaven, knowing him even as he knows us intimately from all time as his creature.

To "see" in this sense means to recognize, perceive with the heart and soul, to experience in our being.  Jesus uses the word "see" this way when he says, "Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God."(Matt. 5:8)  Again in the same sense he says in John 3: 3, "Amen, Amen I say to you, except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

This "seeing" God is the most heartfelt desire of the true Christian, and indeed, it draws our souls inexorably to Christ, the Way. (John 14: 6).  But because of our darkened intellects, becoming pure of heart is a lifelong commitment to battle the forces that would snatch victory from us.  This should not discourage us because we are promised God's grace on the journey away from selfishness to perfect charity.

What being pure of heart means

Sometimes it's easier to understand what something is by knowing what it is not.  Jesus said to Peter: "…[T]hose things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…. (Matt. 15: 18-20).

King David, weeping for his great sin, declares what a pure heart is:

"…behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom" (v.8)

"A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me." (v. 12)

"For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a holocaust, you would not accept it.  My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit, a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." (v. 18-20)

From these words we know that the pure heart is sincere, steadfast, contrite and humble.  It is undivided in its pursuit of God, and permits no thoughts of any kind of evil.  It is created

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