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MARCH 8
SEEING AND BELIEVING
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things
not seen. Indeed, by faith the ancients received approval. By faith we
understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that what
is seen does not originate from visible things.” (Hebr 11: 1-3)
So in faith we “see” the visible, and “understand” its invisible Source.
Thus the visible can, in faith, be a constant reminder of the invisible; In
faith, the visible is a channel for divine revelation. Thus we use visible
symbols and icons in our liturgical Tradition, so that they point us to the
invisible. Our “vision” does not stop, so to say, at the icon, but extends
beyond it, toward the One or the ones depicted on it.
Today I say thank you to God for engaging my senses as He does and and
always did, in various ways. These “ways” include the simple, everyday
examples of beauty, like the crocuses now sloppily in bloom here and
there; These “ways” also include the very big, extraordinary way He
stepped into our history, letting us see His Son incarnate, walking and
talking among us. I thank You today, my Lord, for reminding me of
Yourself every day, in Your beautiful images. “By coming to save the
world, O Saviour, You have filled all things with joy.” (Troparion of the
Sunday of Orthodoxy)
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