Holy Face Challenge
Christianity has a history for having a peaceful and positive revolutionary effect on society seeking the greatest possible good in communion with the holy will of God for everyone. People in the world are hungry for the embrace of God in their life. People yearn to feel the light of God’s Holy Face shine on them and illuminate their live. We have been empowered by Christ and entrusted with the very mission to be His face to the world and to see God’s face in others such that we can come to recognize the poverty of body and spirit existing in those around us. We are called to be peaceful revolutionaries of Christ who illuminate the earth with our face of God’s love. Here is a simple three step approach to being a face of Christ in the world.
The first step: If you have not already, begin a Holy Face devotion. It is explained on this site. It is very simple, easy, and well worth any time you put into it. In doing so you will begin to experience a deeper prayer and a Face to face feeling of intimate prayer. This is something that will sharpen your ability to be in Christ’s image and recognize the face of Christ around us.
Step two: By God’s creation of us in His image we all have the ability to reflect the image of the face of God in ourselves. Simply by being who we were created to be, we reflect God’s image to a degree. Obviously, our faces will not be radiant as the sun as when Jesus was transfigured however we can greet others with a smile and do our best to display our version of Christ’s holy face to the world.
Step three: Try to recognize the face of God in everyone. That is where it gets really difficult because God is not easy to see in everyone. What is important is that when we look at someone in person or on television, we acknowledge to ourselves that who ever they are, in whatever circumstance or situation they are in, first they are God’s child.
Prayer to reflect Christ’s Holy Face
Oh Lord as I gaze upon Your Holy Face, I am speechless with shame for all my sins that you took upon yourself. Out of love for me you paid the ultimate price by your agonizing passion and crucifixion. In my deepest gratitude, I humbly request that you help me to be Your Holy Face to those I come in contact with for the remainder of my life.
Lord may I grow in and reflect the image of:
The face of Christ’s love
The face of Christ's hope
The face of Christ’s piety
The face of Christ’s patience
The face of Christ’s mercy
The face of Christ’s prudence
The face of Christ’s justice
The face of Christ’s perseverance
The face of Christ’s temperance
The face of Christ’s purity
The face of Christ’s truth
The face of Christ's joy
The face of Christ's morality
The face of Christ's courage
The face of Christ’s generosity
The face of Christ's kindness
The face of Christ's love for His Father
The face of Christ's love for His holy Church
The face of Christ's respect for the sanctity of life
By: W. M. Simons
