Blessed are those who believe without seeing
Main idea
In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda addresses the meaning of the Lord Jesus’ phrase: “Blessed are those who have believed without seeing,” focusing that true faith is trust and assurance in unseen things and that this is the essence of the saints’ life and Christian hope.
Biblical examples and the role of the Resurrection
He points to Thomas’s doubt at the resurrection scene and how Christ answered him with blessedness for those who believed without seeing, and notes that Christ’s resurrection was unique because it was His own rising without any person raising Him, and that this has a special effect on Christian faith.
Belief in the unseen in the life of the fathers and prophets
He reviews paternal and prophetic examples — Noah, Abraham, Elijah, Joseph, David, and Jacob — who believed what they did not see so God’s promises were fulfilled for them and miracles were performed through them, and he highlights that the prophets were “seeing” what ordinary eyes did not see.
The sacraments and worship as unseen realities
He explains that the holy mysteries (baptism, chrismation, sanctification) are unseen graces accepted by faith, and that the believer experiences their fruit spiritually even if he does not see anything tangible, because revelation and divine rites complete human deficiency.
Faith as a power for giving and patience
He affirms that faith gives martyrs, anchorites, and hermits strength to endure sufferings and sacrifices because they “saw” by spiritual means the crowns and heavenly glories prepared for them, so they surrendered to salvation without fear of death.
Fruits of faith and its promises
He mentions the promises of Scripture — God’s protection and preservation (Psalms 91 and 121) and the promise that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church — and urges listeners to cling to this assurance even in life’s crises, because assurance of the unseen is the foundation of hope and steadfastness.
Warning against unbelief and its consequences
He warns with examples of refusal to believe or hesitation (Zacharias, the people of Sodom) and the painful outcomes that befell them, explaining that God is merciful but may allow the stubborn to face judgment or consequences if they disregard the call.
Spiritual and pastoral conclusion
The spiritual call is that a person should train himself to believe in unseen things relying on revelation, and make assurance, hope, adherence to the mysteries and prayers his weapon against doubts, because faith in what is not seen is the heart of Christian life and the source of salvation.
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