loving the invisible
"We have seen for ourselves, and can testify, that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world." —1 John 4:14
It is very important for us as human beings to see people if we are to love them. We find it hard to love the invisible because we usually receive and give love through our senses. That is why God became a human being — so that we could see Him and love Him.
Therefore, when Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, this presented a problem for us. We no longer had a see-able and more lovable God. Accordingly, Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to extend the Incarnation by creating the body of Christ, the Church. Now through the Church and especially in the Eucharist, we can do much more than see God. We can even receive into our bodies the body and blood of God.
We accept this special, miraculous relationship with God by believing in Him and loving Him. "No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another God dwells in us, and His love is brought to perfection in us" (1 Jn 4:12). "God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (1 Jn 4:16). We can be in the invisible God and He in us if we are in love with Him, especially in the Eucharist. "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, no one has ever seen You (Jn 1:18), but I love You with all my heart because I have seen Your Image, Jesus (Col 1:15).
Promise: "It is I. Do not be afraid!" —Mk 6:50
Praise: Once a drug dealer and abuser, by God's grace George became a preacher of His Word.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, This is My Body, or our audio tapes on Eucharistic Obedience, on AV 73-1 or our video V-73.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2013
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