A Simple Talk About Faith

Christianity The Answer

Christianity in its many forms is a salvation religion which provides the existential answer to the questions of life. We, as Catholic Christians, have a host of great spiritual guides who help us answer those questions.

We often approach faith in a purely intellectual way.
Bishop Sheen said, “Intellectual faith is not the one necessary thing to know God. The only people who ever arrive at a knowledge of God are those who, when the door is opened, accept the truth and shoulder the responsibilities it brings. God is the most obvious fact of human experience, but accepting Him is one of the most arduous.”
I might also add the word perilous to the Bishop’s statement because so much hinges on that seed reaching maturity. So much is at stake.

What is Faith?
James talks about faith as appearing to be much more than simple mental ascent. He said even the demons tremble and know there is a God.
James is implying that there is a difference in the type of “knowing” we experience as humans.

Is simple head-knowledge of faith enough?
Faith should drive us in a direction. That direction should lead us to a deeper relationship with God. God is an endless pursuer who continually reaches out in love to make us active participants in his oneness. Faith is not stagnant. It is alive with power and in continual motion.

We assume that men are irreligious because they are ignorant in spiritual matters. We reason that our friends and family members might not make the time. Perhaps they are too busy and make other things a priority. If only we read a few good books to them or had them listen to a good apologist these individuals would immediately embrace the Christian message.
I have bemoaned the lack of spirituality in society and the lackluster attendance in our churches and have equated it to so many things, but I have missed the point of it all.

A growth of seed is a miracle and only God and the physical laws He established cause that seed to germinate. What is impossible for man is possible for God. Luke 18

Is faith a matter of simple education?
Not all PhD’s are saints, nor are the ignorant all demons.
While education does make a difference the pathway to true faith is fraught with much danger and is very uncertain.  Education is not the key. It is in fact the least important aspect of the journey.  Our Lord, who is truth itself, could not convince the Pharisees and most of the population even after many miracles and sermons, enough sermons said John to fill a library.

The key is Grace. It begins and ends with God.

I am not implying that education and evangelization are not important.  By no means. I would not insinuate that it has no effect. St Paul said, “Faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God”.

My Reflection
As I reflect on my 40+ years of faith that started after a powerful conversion experience I see that the seed of faith is more delicate than I’d ever imagined it to be.
A seed is very slight and its progression to maturity is challenged at all levels of its existence. It can be destroyed so easily.
There is so much attention to detail which must take place to bring a seed to maturity.
The seed in your life and mine is a miracle of spiritual development that brings God into your life as the caretaker of your soul.

The Beginning
Man does not see salvation as necessary as long as they see things as being fine. An eternal optimist or pessimist might never make a fair assessment of the reality of the interior life. The optimist sees things as they are without much blemish and a pessimist might be so cybnical that they doubt anything could change. It is truly a wonder that God gets us to the place of acceptance of himself. We might roll our eyes and shake our heads in disbelief towards our family but until grace begins its work there is not much we can do except plant seeds and pray. God wants us to know that the miracle of salvation is His alone to dispense as He chooses.

If humanity is told they need salvation they need to understand, at the depth of their being, what they need saving from.
The journey to salvation begins with an understanding that all is not well within their soul. When man begins to see the incongruence of his own disordered thoughts and those of the world he begins to be part of the work of grace in his life. I surmise, that both the optimist and the pessimist must be terribly challenging to God.

When we drive our salt ridden cars in the winter we can see quite fine as long as we keep the car pointed away from the sun. The moment we turn our automobile into the glare of the sun the haze, previously unseen, suddenly becomes very obvious to us.
Once the Grace of God begins its work in the hearts of the unfaithful it exposes the disorder and the great need for salvation. Our friends and family desperately need an encounter with God and not simply education.

Closing
Speaking and educating is vital but only God can cause the seed to bloom. Whenever we forget that we act without faith.

I stand in awe of the time and effort God puts into one seed placed into one heart. Ponder on your own journey and the variety of twists and turns that got you where you are today and then raise your voice to God in praise.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
T’was Grace that brought us safe this far
And grace will lead us home

Amazing Grace by John Newton