light;”[1] that is, as interpreters say, in Thy light we shall clearly see Thy divine essence. By this supernatural light of glory the souls of the elect shall be so raised above their natural powers that they shall be able to fix the eyes of the mind on the very centre of all the divine beauties, aud to gaze on them as on a bright sun undazzled and undismayed; and the same light of glory shall so strengthen them that they shall contain and endure forever that immense joy without ever being wearied by it. From this alone we may form some idea of the infinite beauty of God, and of the immensity of the joy that results from beholding Him, since a supernatural help is required to prevent the mind from being overwhelmed by it.
By seeing god the blessed shall completely possess Him.
“We shall see Him as He is.” Ah, Christians! if we only love God here with our whole hearts for a short time we shall behold Him face to face in the kingdom of heaven for all eternity, and that too not in the superficial manner in which we see visible things here on earth. If I look at a fine house I cannot therefore say that it is mine. If I see gold and silver I cannot therefore say with truth: this gold and silver belongs to me. But in heaven the vision of God will be at the same time the full possession of God, so that the moment I shall see God and know Him clearly I shall be able to say with truth: God is mine; the God of infinite beauty belongs to me; the great, immense God is wholly mine, and will be my very own for all eternity.
Nay, they shall become like to Him. Nay, still higher shall my happiness go when I enter heaven; for by vision I shall become changed into my God, so that I shall be able to say with truth: not only is God mine, but I am, so to say, like my God. Nor is this manner of speech too daring when we recollect what St. John says: “We know that when He shall appear we shall be like to Him: because we shall see Him as He is.”[2] Again a great difference between the heavenly vision of God and the sight of objects on earth. If I look at a prince or a king, I do not therefore become a prince or a king nor does it make me rich or beautiful to behold one who is rich or beautiful. But the clear vision of God changes a man into God, and as it were transforms him into the beauty and nature of God: “We shall be like to Him.” “As many as are there,” says St. Augustine, “are gods; they all know God without error, they see Him without end, they praise Him without fatigue, they
