The Letter to the Hebrews provides a definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Contrast that understanding of faith with the story of the Transfiguration in St. Mark’s Gospel. There instead of faith the chosen apostles are given sight, are given the fulfillment of faith in a divine vision. But instead of this being consoling we are told “they were terrified.” It was only when Jesus was “alone with them” that they recovered their peace. Faith is not something incomplete that awaits some new information but the radical trust of children who throw themselves into the arms of their mother. The love might be “unseen” but it is the truest thing in the world.
