In today’s readings for the feast of St. John, we hear the account of the resurrection when John ran to the tomb and it says, ‘He saw and believed’. But I thought faith has been described as believing without seeing or having a full understanding of something yet believing in it. Just as sight begins when light enters your eye, John had the light of faith illumining his sight. And this signal was sent to his mind, heart and soul when he perceived the empty tomb. These messages began a conversation within between his memory, recalling from the recent past, all that Jesus said to him and the apostles of his death and resurrection, and taking in the present experience. So maybe all the images didn’t exactly line up and fill in the gaps for him to understand on a human level, that Jesus rose from the dead, but Faith filled in those ‘gaps’ with trust in God’s revelation in midst of a quiet tomb.
So, as we have journeyed this Advent preparing to receive and behold the newborn King, did we see Him with our eyes or with the eyes of faith and trust? These eyes of faith and trust are doorways, or entrances like the tomb, to deeper understanding and joy in life. As you live your days beyond Advent and the Christmas season can you ask yourself, do I believe God’s work in my life even when I don’t fully see and understand what I’m perceiving? Can I let the light of faith enter within to remind me of all the past times He has shown His faithfulness and love to me so that whatever I may face today, with trust and love communicating to my mind and heart I can be drawn to a deeper understanding and closeness to the One who can see all things.
St. John help us today to see with our hearts what our eyes cannot fully behold, but fully believe, and can echo what the psalmist sings: Rejoice in the Lord, Jesus our light has come!
