There are some pictures or images (like the one below) that can have a surprising effect on the eyes.
We just have to look at it for about a minute and then we just close our eyes.
Then somewhere and somehow in the darkness of our closed eyes, a defined face of Jesus appears in the darkness.
But in order to "see" that defined face of Jesus, we have to focus on that picture or image, without which we can only get vague images.
This gives us an idea of what the 1st reading is talking about when St. Paul says that "we, with our unveiled faces, reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect : this is the work of the Lord who is the Spirit.
So the more we focus on God, the more defined will be of our reflection of God to others.
It is our mission to reflect the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The 1st reading also urged us to beware of the temptation for self-glory - "For it is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake".
Hence our virtue must go deeper than that of those who have yet to know Christ, for if not then what have we to offer them or reflect to them.
In our life, in our prayer, in our work, may Christ be before us as we focus on Him so that we will reflect what is in our hearts.