conceived in us, in a spiritual sense by the same holy Ghost.”^249 Realizing that
conception is only the beginning Ambrose asserts that “formation followes
conception” and further that a “life begun in grace [will be] ending in eternal
glory.”^250 Therefore, the final outcome of looking to Jesus is that “the sight of God
will make us like to God; and the sight of Christ will make us like to Christ.”^251
Further, the full benefit of the beatific vision is that a person reclaims his or her
original image and likeness of Christ.
Fifth, heavenly-mindedness yields a growing sense of enjoyment and delight
in God and Jesus. Once a person reaches heaven they experience a “compleate
enjoyment of God.”^252 While the fullness of fruition is reserved for heaven
individuals are able to experience a proleptic prelude of that joy on earth. Every
opportunity of contemplation affords the individual who has been married to Jesus as
Bridegroom to taste again the heavenly joy that awaits that consummation of marriage
with Christ in heaven. The Holy Spirit once again fulfills a significant ministry
towards that end in providing “a drop of heavens joy” into the hearts of those who
follow Jesus.^253 Further, a person may already have “tasted of the joyes of heaven in
prayer” in their spiritual practices.^254 Closely connected with this sense of enjoyment
of God is the resulting expression that contemplation is “to worship him in his
ascension up into heaven; O admire and adore him!”^255 Admiration and adoration is a
proper response to experiencing the joyful presence of Jesus.
(^249) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus (^) , 351.
(^250) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 356.
(^251) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 349.
(^252) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 1084, cf. 1085-8 and Media (1657), 260-3.
(^253) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 876, cf. 914-5.
(^254255) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 480.
Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 872.