Expert: Griff Ruby - 7/8/2006

Question
Hi Griff,

Is 'faith' necessary to perceive the Risen Christ?

Answer
The risen Christ was simply percieved by all who were there to see Him.  It is true that the disciples on the road to Emmeus were unable to recognize Him, but that was because He had their eyes "holden" in some way to prevent them from recognizing Him until the right moment.
He was seen by the disciples in the locked room, even by "doubting Thomas" who still didn't believe even when he saw, but only when he touched.
Now that He has ascended in Heaven, he is percieved by none except in vision (as for example St. Steven when he was being stoned), and God can grant such vision to whoever He pleases, with or without faith.
When it is written of His return that "every eye will see Him," no one seriously contends that only "eyes of faith" will see Him.  When that happens, all will know it, whether with faith they are pleased or without faith they are dismayed.
It does seem to require some faith to be able to recognize His Mystical Body the Church as such, but that is obviously a fundamentally different appearence, as the "perfect society" of the Church is nevertheless (and always has been) riddled with imperfect men.
Hope this helps, God bless!