If God exists, why won’t He allow us to see Him?

This is a common thought of those who struggle with faith. It stems from both a sincere yearning and a theological ignorance.

Two basic reasons we cannot see God:

a) He is pure Spirit. He can’t be seen through physical eyes. His essence transcends our limited senses as finite creatures.

b) Sin blinds the spirit. Pre-original sin, our first parents could ‘see’ God analogously by the divine life God granted souls that are in union with Him. Sin ruptures that perfect union.

Hence, the spiritual sight of faith is now cloudy and imperfect. After the resurrection of the body, when the saved will be glorified and free of all the effects of sin, we will see God clearly through our spiritual souls in what is called the beatific vision.