The Face of Jesus

In my son’s house, an icon of Jesus is placed above the entrance door. My son knows that it is not part of our heritage to put the icon in our homes, in other than an inner room, in the place of prayer, on the eastern wall. The icon is not for public display, but rather an opening in time to the eternity of Him Who came to us from the Dayspring of the East. However, my son believes, like so many others, that the icon is for protection and care. This icon, which is above the door, I know it from his house in Lebanon. The creative iconographer, my friend, Father Antoine Chouity, is the one who painted it on wood from the cedars of Lebanon. My son took with him abroad the spirit of our heritage and homeland. Life is faithfulness to this Face to Which there is no likeness; it is devotion to Him amid the estrangement of the world; flight to Him from every murderous temptation. The image of the Lord here is His presence. It does not only invite us to cross over to Him, but it grants us the grace of His crossing over to us as well. There is no more faithful companion than Jesus. This is my son’s faith, were he near or faraway.