A tenet that typifies the mindset of today’s zeitgeist is ‘seeing is believing’. Unless something can be physically touched, empirically attested or scientifically affirmed it is not credible. The ‘unseen’, the ‘untouched’ – these cannot be ‘true’. They are ‘unreal’ for they do not pass the superficial test of appearance. This is ironic because much of what we do ‘see’ today is in fact fiction – that is, items or facts fabricated or twisted by the media or entertainment industries in order to gain our credence (and dollars). It is even more ironic because in the extensive history of humanity not so long ago theology, that quintessentially incorporeal and intellectual discipline, was hailed as the ‘Queen of the Sciences’.
We who, without the presence of physical proof, are disinclined to believe have a distinguished antecedent, Didymus, better known as the Apostle Thomas. Until he could touch Jesus’ glorified body this doubting disciple refused to believe the Lord had risen. When days later such an encounter occurred Jesus proclaimed: “Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed”. (Jn. 20:29)
Belief is fundamental to the good news of the Gospel.
When Martha wept over the death of her brother, Lazarus, Jesus – identifying himself and the Resurrection – assured her that “whosoever lives by believing in me will never die”. (Jn. 11:25)
In Marks’ Gospel Jesus’s followers wondered why they were unsuccessful in expelling the evil spirt from the young boy. Exasperated by their lack of faith, Jesus exclaimed: “You unbelieving generation. How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?”. (Mk.9:19) He then impressed on them that “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mk. 9: 23). It was the boy’s father who got the message when he begged the Lord: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk. 9:24).
Believing is seeing. But it is more, much more, than visually apprehending physical reality or intellectually acknowledging the veracity of an occurrence. It is ‘seeing’ beyond these. Believing is perceiving purpose. For the skeptic to see is to believe. For the believer to believe is to see with understanding and expectation.
Imagine your reaction if you were to ask someone to what faith he belonged and he replied: “I’m a believer.” Somehow his response demonstrates a more thoughtful, if not more profound, grasp of reality.
Our donors at NCCF understand this. To be sure, their philanthropy is motivated by the compassion exemplified in the galvanizing passages in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. However, for some it is more than the fruit of compassion. It is the consequence of a ‘vision’, a comprehension, that by acknowledging and promoting the dignity of others they are serving the purpose of God’s will and are therefore advancing his kingdom.
Seeing may be believing; but believing is really seeing.