Have you ever thought that it’s hard to believe? That it’s difficult to really embrace and live what the Church teaches? Even just believing in God can be challenging at times...
Or, have you ever thought it would just be a little easier if God gave you a sign? Other Saints have received signs, apparitions from Jesus and Mary. If I just had a glimpse, if Christ appeared to me for a second…then I’d believe. Heck, maybe I’d even be a Saint if I got to talk with Mary.
But, is that all it would take? Would that be enough?
History tells us that the answer is no.
Many people in Jesus’ time could see but didn’t believe, including the Scribes, the Pharisees, and even His followers. In John’s Gospel, after the Bread of Life Discourse when Jesus foretells the Eucharist, we hear, “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” These were people who followed Jesus, heard him speak, and witnessed miracles, but then left. Not to mention Judas, who lived and travelled with Jesus for three years...he saw it all. And, it still wasn’t enough.
In our day and age, we’re very driven by the physical, especially in the area of faith. We want to hear, see, and touch Jesus. We’re constantly asking God to reveal Himself to us, and the fact of the matter is that He already has.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven, he didn’t leave us empty handed. He left us His Bride, the Church, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our living tradition, the deposit of faith, the gifts of the Eucharist, the Bible. The list goes on and on.
God is constantly trying to reach us...just not on our terms. Understanding His terms requires an act of faith, now and for the rest of our lives.