I'm expanding the site to include videos into addition to text reflections, as a way to contemplate the beatific vision. The videos will appear at http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=beatificvision.

The form of these videos, at least here at the outset, is a stationary look at scenes from nature. The phrase that crops up in my mind is: "when nothing, becomes something". It refers to that sense when you're just sitting in nature, there's no pressing need to be doing anything, you're just listening to the sounds, observing your surroundings. And then it switches over...you get drawn into your environment, it becomes present to you, the life that is in nature, creation, your part in it, the simplicity in spirit brings clarity to the soul. The non-essential falls away, and you can drink in life. You remain for a while, then it's time to get up, and go on your way. But part of that moment stays with you, and sustains you, until you are able to find that place again.

Welp, I hope you find the videos refreshing in that way at least, and I'd love to hear any comments you may have--just use the comment link with this post.

I'm experimenting with comments on the site, and will be including comment links in future posts. Along those lines, I thought I'd share a couple "comments on commenting":

--Discussion is encouraged. Discussion implies recognizing that "the other" has a dignity equal to your own, and conducting all conversation in the spirit of charity.

--Threads are moderated. This helps preserve the types of beneficial conversations that can be shared out here in cyberspace.

I'm looking forward to sharing a dialogue with you, and hope you find the comment feature useful.

My posts to this blog center around four main themes, and it probably helps to give them a little explanation. So here goes--

Message: Attempts to express what the core message of salvation is. What is the "good news" Christians proclaim?

Follow: What does it mean to follow Jesus? How is each day affected by our relationship with Him?

Helps: Treasures of the faith that can help us on our journey. Prayers, formulations, links, and other resources to aid us.

Culture: How does our faith play out in culture? Looks at the life of a Christian in society.

And of course, About: provides background notes on this blog.

This blog is designed to make it easy to get around, but you may find the following alternatives useful:

--Have new posts delivered to you via a RSS subscription. The link to use is:

--Browse a listing of all post titles in chronological order.

--Search the posts for particular words:

To contact me, simply send an e-mail to "beatificvision.net | at | gmail | dot | com". I'd be happy to hear your response to any post, or feedback on the site in general. Thanks for visiting, and I hope something here was a blessing to you.

To behold the face of God in all his beauty--this is the beatific vision. It is that for which we are intended, the design of our soul, the fulfillment of our existence. To see him face to face, to see him as he is. "Who is like unto God?" uttered Archangel Michael.

That vision is obscured now, but it is the object of our hope, the aim of our faith. The work of salvation was performed so that we may be united with him, and enjoy the vision of his divine essence for all eternity. He who from whom all existence stems, he who from whom all goodness flows.

Glory, and honor, and praise be unto his name, forever.

The following is an expression of the impetus for this blog:

"I am a man. I exist at this particular point in time and space. Many things exist with me at this point. I desire the good. I feel that if I do not relate to the things with me at this point, then I am complicit with the bad, for it has a force of its own. Is it right for me to stand by leaving others alone in the force for good? But how do I know how to relate to the things which exist with me at this point? God is the only absolute and is therefore rightly related to all things. May He make me to come closer to Himself, and I will come into right relation with all things. May I then be a force for good."

"There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (Jn 15:13 NAB)