1 Our hope, Brethren, is not of this present time, nor of this world, nor in that happiness whereby men are blinded that forget God. This ought we above all things to know, and in a Christian heart hold fast, that we were not made Christians for the good things of the present time, but for something else which God at once promises, and man does not yet comprehend. For of this good it is said, “That eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for them that love Him.” Because then this good, so great, so excellent, so ineffable, fell not in with man's understanding, it required God's promise.
For what has been promised him, man blind of heart does not now comprehend; nor can it be shown to him at present, what he will one day be to whom the promise is given. For so an infant child, if he could understand the words of one speaking, when himself could neither speak, nor walk, nor do anything, but feeble as we see he is, unable to stand, requiring the assistance of others, were able only to understand him who should speak to him and tell him, “Lo, as you see me walking, working, speaking, after a few years you shall be as I am;” as he considered himself and the other, though he would see what was promised; yet considering his own feebleness, would not believe, and yet he would see what was promised.
But with us infants, as it were, lying in this flesh and feebleness, that which is promised is at once great and is not seen; and so faith is aroused whereby we believe that we do not see that we may attain to see what we believe. Whosoever derides this faith, so as to think that he is not to believe in that he does not see; when that shall come which he believed not, is put to shame: being confounded is separated, being separated, is condemned. But whoso shall have believed, is put aside at the right hand, and shall stand with great confidence and joy among those to whom it shall be said, “Come, blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” But the Lord made an end when He spoke these words, thus, “These shall go into everlasting burning, but the righteous into life eternal.” This is the life eternal which is promised us.
Source: Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament (New Advent)