The young man who could see, hear, touch, and speak to Jesus "went away sad, for he had many possessions" (Mk 10:22). In contrast, the people to whom the first letter of Peter was addressed never saw Jesus, but rejoiced with inexpressible joy because they were achieving faith's goal, their salvation (1 Pt 1:8-9). The one who saw Jesus was sad; the ones who never saw Him rejoiced in Him with inexpressible joy.
Clearly, our joy does not depend on seeing Jesus physically, but on believing in Him. Jesus said: "Blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (Jn 20:29). "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see" (Heb 11:1). "In hope we were saved. But hope is not hope if its object is seen; how is it possible for one to hope for what he sees?" (Rm 8:24) "We do not fix our gaze on what is seen but on what is unseen. What is seen is transitory; what is unseen lasts forever" (2 Cor 4:18).
Jesus is "the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords Who alone has immortality and Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no human being has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and everlasting rule! Amen" (1 Tm 6:15-16).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, thank You that my relationship with You is not limited by my needing to see You. Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of faith (Gal 5:22). |
| PROMISE: | "For man it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible." –Mk 10:27 |
| PRAISE: | As Melanie's physical sight declined, her spiritual sight increased. |
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