God, Who is Spirit (Jn 4:24) and therefore invisible, became visible to us when He was conceived in Mary's womb and born in Bethlehem. When the Word became flesh, it became possible for us to see God (1 Jn 1:1). John "saw and believed" (Jn 20:8). "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples. 'I have seen the Lord!' she announced" (Jn 20:18). "The other disciples kept telling [Thomas] 'We have seen the Lord!' " (Jn 20:25) Thomas became a believer because he saw the Lord, but "blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (Jn 20:29).
However, Jesus' incarnation and birth are not primarily ways of becoming visible, but are expressions of infinite love. Therefore, our relationship with the Lord is not based on a sensory response to His visibleness but on our faith-response to His love. "Although you have never seen Him, you love Him, and without seeing you now believe in Him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's goal, your salvation" (1 Pt 1:8-9).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). |
| PROMISE: | "Our purpose in writing you this is that our joy may be complete." –1 Jn 1:4 |
| PRAISE: | St. John's faith carried him to the foot of the cross and then to the glory of the resurrection. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College