1. Those who have seen Jesus
The disciples' story began after Jesus saw them: "As he was walking along the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew... (Mk.1,16)." The disciples see Jesus act among the crowds, they follow him, and they watch him, the Lord healing the sick and forgiving the sinners.

2. Witnesses of his Glory
The disciples are eye witnesses of the coming of the Kingdom: Peter, James and John are chosen by Jesus to stand by him in order to see Jairus' daughter rise and start walking once again. They will see the glorious light of the Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor. All the gospel readings seem to tell us that seeing is not something optional for a person who wants to recognise Jesus as the Lord.

3. The faith he who has seen
Jesus knows the spirit of man and so he shows his salvation deeds. He teaches us a wise pedagogy about seeing; he instructs his disciples inviting them to have a look around them: "Look at the flowers growing in the fields...yet I assure you...(Mt. 6,28)". Faith derives from seeing. "When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said: "This was a great and good man." (Lk. 23,47)".
The ability to see makes a great difference between Herod and the magi; the former sends them ahead: "Go and if you find him, I too will go and give him homage." Herod waits for the news before going himself. The magi go and see.

4. The news about "He whom we have seen"
The texts of liturgical origin which date to the early church of the 2nd century, speak about the risen Jesus saying: "he has been seen". The faith of the disciples who can say: "He is really the living Lord" is based on the apparition. The apparition is also the task entrusted to the witnesses: "Announce to everybody that Jesus, the Son of God, has died and has risen."

5. Waiting for the full vision
John makes use of the apparition language to indicate the current and permanent presence of the Lord with his own people: "You will see me." (Jn.14,19). Jesus does not belong to this world any more, but his disciples will see him alive, risen, in a vision that besides being sensitive, will also have to be a spiritual one, in faith.

6. The anticipation in the vision of the sacraments
During the liturgy today we can see Salvation which has become a sign in the sacrament. This is the meaning of the sacrament as an event: The merciful love of the Father is offered in a visible way. We can see bread and wine on the altar, we can see water pouring on the catechumen, we can observe the sign of the anointment of the confirmed... When the centurion made his profession of faith, he called Jesus "Son of God" (Mk.15,39) and not only "Master". We meet the Lord Jesus during the liturgy and we should be able to recognise him in the signs and words as the disciples of Emmaus did. Luke expresses very well their initial uneasiness: "but something prevented them from recognising him." (24,16)
Each liturgical celebration invites us to sing psalm 34,9: "How good Yahweh is-only taste and see!"

The bible offers images and symbols. The invisible becomes visible by means of cosmic forces, written words, historic events: Everything becomes an invitation to immerse ourselves in the deep divine waters.