THE GIFT OF LIVING FAITH (part 1 of 3)

THE GIFT OF LIVING FAITH
(Part 1 of 3)

Our Loving God not only created us in love, but also gives us everything we need to be united with Him in this life and be eternally happy with Him forever in Heaven, short of taking away our free will. And so at Baptism He infuses into our soul the Three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, which “dispose us to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity” (CCC #1812). It is indeed possible to have a purely natural faith, and therefore some hope and love for God, resulting from the evidence of nature, sound philosophical conclusion, or an experience of God's beneficence in one's life. This would be a preparation for the reception of the genuinely supernatural faith which will be infused, along with Sanctifying Grace, at Baptism. But only these supernatural theological virtues enable us to believe firmly all the truths God has revealed, hope in Him unwaveringly, and love Him with a perfect love.

“Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that He has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because He is Truth itself” (CCC #1814). Faith, therefore, is our positive response to God Who makes the first move by revealing Himself to us. He has also given us external signs of credibility of the revelation which he has made, in order to show the reasonableness of our obedience of faith: [“the fulfillment in Jesus Christ of the prophecies of the Old Testament; His holiness, miracles, and prophecies; the excellence of His Doctrine; the marvelous effects of His Doctrine in the world; the astonishing conversion of so many Nations to Christianity; the testimony of countless martyrs; the heroic virtues and miracles of many Saints; the astounding preservation of the Church, in spite of endless attempts to destroy it from within and without”] (from CREDO, by Bp Schneider).

Furthermore, God moves us from within, influencing our minds and hearts, to respond with an act of faith to his self- revelation in Christ. He does this by attracting us, through our heart's longing for meaning, drawing us to Christ Who alone can give satisfactory meaning and purpose to our lives. God makes Himself known as the One Who speaks to us, offering us meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in our lives.That meaning and purpose is the chance to share in His life and goodness through union with Jesus through His Spirit in us. God moves us from within to recognize Him as the one who can satisfy our deepest longings, for our hearts are restless until we rest in Him. Faith therefore is a gift insofar as God first reveals Himself, and through His Spirit moves us to recognize Him and respond positively. Still we are free to accept Him or to settle for lesser meanings.

Now once we yield to God's attraction we begin to recognize Him speaking to us through the wonders of the world around us, the Scriptures and teachings of the Church, and the events of our life. We are then moved to make our assent of faith, recognizing and accepting God as a REAL LIVING PERSON (or persons) in our life. We begin to center our lives on God and look at everything in the perspective of the overall meaning He offers us. He becomes the ATMOSPHERE in which ‘we live and move and have our being’ ( cf Acts 17:28). Then when God is the center of our lives everything else falls into place. Even our sufferings, trials, afflictions, and adversities take on meaning in God. This gives ORDER to our lives, and the result is PEACE (and joy).

Moreover we perceive God as a loving Father and a Friend who loves us so dearly, and is always there to guide us. This ‘instinct of faith’ keeps us from ever feeling LONELY or LOST, for God comes to us as Someone who loves us infinitely and is always there for us. This ought therefore to move us to make a FAITH COMMITMENT– that total surrender to God, trusting in Him and giving ourselves totally to Him, for we know that He loves us and wants the best for us. This faith commitment empowers and impels us to obey God's Commandments no matter the cost.

Faith therefore is not just an intellectual assent to the truths God has revealed to us through His Church. Indeed it is certain KNOWLEDGE and LIGHT to our path leading us to our ultimate end– everlasting Happiness with Him forever in Heaven. But most of all it is a PERSONAL ADHERENCE, a total surrender and commitment of our whole being to God. Thus “by faith man freely commits himself entirely to God. Living faith works through CHARITY” (CCC 1814).

We all ought to aim for this mature faith. Even we who were born in the faith must strive to grow in this faith commitment which ought to be at the very root of our religious life. This is the living faith that inspires us with the zeal of martyrs, ready for the demands of daily white martyrdom. Thankfully God has already infused the virtue into our souls. We have only to exercise this ‘spiritual muscle’ (lest we lose it), by making frequent acts of faith, that conscious expression of our belief in and total commitment to God, which puts us in direct contact with Him when we are in the state of grace. This very act merits for us the grace to grow in our commitment to God. We have only to nourish this God-given faith by frequent listening to the Word of God, an intense life of prayer and perseverance in well-doing. If we do our part God's grace will never be wanting. And so, may we pray: “Lord, increase our faith”.

Act of faith: O My God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them who are Eternal Truth and Wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.