Today’s book quote comes from Romano Guardini’s The Living God.
“There is nothing brighter than the eyes of God, nor is there anything more comforting. They are unyielding, but they are the source of hope.
“To be seen by him does not mean to be exposed to a merciless gaze, but to be enfolded in the deepest care. Human seeing often destroys the mystery of the other. God seeing creates it.
“We can do nothing better than to press on into the sight of God. The more deeply we understand what God is, the more fervently we shall want to be seen by him. We are seen by him whether we want to be or not. The difference is whether we try to elude his sight, or strive to enter it, understanding the meaning of his gaze, coming to terms with it, and desiring that his will be done.
“We can do nothing more better then place ourselves and all that we have in God’s sight: ‘Behold me! Let us put away the fear that prevents us. Let us abandon this sloth, the pretense of Independence, and the pride. ‘Look at the good! Look at the shortcomings! The ugly, the unjust the evil, the wicked, everything–look at it, O God!’
“Sometimes it is impossible to alter something or another. But let him see it at any rate. Sometimes one cannot honestly repent. But let him see that we cannot yet repent. None of the shortcomings and evil in our lives are fatal as long as they confront his gaze. The very act of placing ourselves in his sight is the beginning of renewal. Everything is possible so long as we begin with God. But everything is in danger once we refuse to place ourselves and our lives in his sight.”
Witnesses to Hope 