Through a Mirror Dimly

mirror

I am always fascinated with the Bible verse: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Mirrors in Bible times were not like the mirrors of today. They were made of highly polished metal. So the reflecting ability of ancient mirrors was limited compared to that of today’s glass mirrors. That is why St. Paul refers to seeing dimly through a mirror. That is the only way you could see yourself in those days, as a hazy outline.

In today’s modern world, we see too much of ourselves, you might say, with our floor length mirrors, our bathroom mirrors, mirrors in hallways and elevators and at makeup counters. Doctors can see directly inside of us with x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs. We may get the feeling that we know ourselves inside and out.

But, of course, even in this age of technology, there is still so much we do not yet know about ourselves and about our place in this world. We are just as “in the dark” as St. Paul when it comes to what our eternity with God will look like. But the good news of this verse is that one day we will see the face of God before our eyes. We will know what the world to come will truly be. When we pass from this world to the next, it will be crystal clear what our purpose and place is to be in the kingdom of God and we will view like never before the love, mercy, and grace that God lavished upon us through Christ, who came to earth to wipe the haze of sin away from our lives forevermore.

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