Face to Face – Principles Day 5

I saw his picture in a children's book:
a hero, bearded, robed, with loving eyes,
who welcomed children, touched and healed the sick –
he charmed me with his heart so kind, so wise.
But as I grew, I put off childish ways
and wrestled with the meaning of this man:
the history-shaker, God in paraphrase,
the Ground of Being born a poor girl's son.

But no. A glimpse in the dark glass of thought
Won't do. I need to meet him face to face –
fling wide the gates of mind and soul and heart,
till every cell is steeped in his bright grace.
I cannot meet the call to make him known,
unless I first let him make me his own.

From the Principles of the Third Order of St Francis
Day Five — The First Aim of the Order
: To make our Lord known and loved everywhere.

The Order is founded on the conviction that Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God; that true life has been made available to us through his Incarnation and Ministry; by his Cross and Resurrection; and by the sending of his Holy Spirit. Our Order believes that it is the commission of the church to make the gospel known to all, and therefore accepts the duty of bringing others to know Christ, and of praying and working for the coming of the Kingdom of God.