Eye of Faith

Between the time of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, our Lord appeared on numerous occasions to his disciples. Imagine being among them. Would you have recognized Jesus immediately?

Consider the first disciples. Fear, doubt, despair, distraction clouded their view. However, Christ’s words and actions opened their eyes and they were filled with joy. Truly the eye of faith is what we need to see our Lord in every circumstance.

When we only believe in what we see with our naked eye, we limit our beliefs. How can we believe in Heaven if we cannot see it? When we allow our trials and tribulations to rule the day, instead of the Word of God, we do not recognize our Lord’s mercy. How can we keep our heart from hardening without turning to God’s loving graces?

The eye of faith keeps us focused on God. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” [Hebrews 11:1]. Therefore: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” said Jesus our Savior [John 20:29].

Walk by Faith

Consider the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Downcast in the days following Christ’s crucifixion, they did not recognize Jesus as he walked with them. Only later when he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to them, “their eyes were opened and they recognized him” [Luke 24:31].

The disciples realized their hearts burned as Christ spoke to them on their journey, opening the Scriptures to them. Like the disciples, faith illuminates our hearts and souls, protecting us from the darkness of the world. Therefore, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight.

For this journey, we have the Word of God and our Lord’s actions in the sacraments, by way of the Holy Spirit. Our Savior provides what we need so we may “turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Doing so we may receive “forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated by faith” in our Lord [Acts 26:18].

In faith, we have hope, recognizing the love of the Almighty. We see—we believe—that the power of God’s mercy is far greater than the power of evil. We find refuge and protection in God’s love. Therefore, the eye of faith guides us—away from sin—so that we may partake in our Lord’s divine life.

Trust in Faith

For the sake of our salvation, we are meant to look to things that are unseen. As St. Paul wrote: “For what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal” [2 Corinthians 4:18]. Yet so many among us have closed their eyes to faith, especially in times of great distress.

Remember, at the time of Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied knowing Christ three times. Although having foretold Peter’s denial, Christ’s trust in him remained. “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers,” said Jesus [Luke 22:32].

While our troubles may seem endless, life in this world is brief. More importantly, what we do in our daily living determines our eternal destiny. Therefore, let us not abandon our faith in God. Let us remain focused on our infinite source of hope and love. Truly, our Lord trusts us to have faith; let us then trust our faith in God.

May our faith rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Amen [1 Corinthian 2:5].