The old monks intently',

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The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2

Keeping the heart upon Christ — transfigures the life.

The old monks intently gazed upon the crucifix, thinking that the print of the nails would come in their hands and feet, and the thorn-scars in their brow — as they gazed.

It was but an utter fiction — yet in the fiction there is a spiritual truth. Gazing by faith upon Christ — the lines of His beauty indeed imprint themselves on our hearts! That is the meaning of Paul's words — "We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord — are transformed into the same image!" 

The gospel is the mirror. There we see the image of Christ. If we earnestly, continuously, and lovingly behold it — the effect will be the changing of our own lives into His likeness. The transformation is wrought by the Holy Spirit, and we are only to behold, to continue beholding, the blessed beauty! As we sit before Christ — His image is imprinted on our soul.