“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Heb 11:1
“Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 26)
The Catholic Faith is a gift (virtue) given by God to His people to draw us into communion with Himself. Faith allows us to see beyond the finite limits of this world into the infinite reality of eternity with our infinite God. Faith, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, is the realization of what we hope for: union with God, i.e., heaven!
Faith is at the crux of our practice of religion. This is why when someone enters the Catholic Church, whether it be a newborn baby at baptism, an adult convert or our youth when they complete their initiation at the Sacrament of Confirmation, this initiation is always preceded by a profession of our Catholic Faith, what we hold to be true, what we believe, the “evidence of things not seen.” The Profession of Faith is essential, as it is the foundation on which everything is built; if we falter in Faith, everything begins to crumble. Thus, every Sunday at Mass we profess the Creed, the core fundamental expression of what we believe. Yet we make this expression the only way we can, as individuals, making our profession of Faith “I believe…”
The supernatural gift of Faith draws us deeper and deeper into relationship with God and allows us now to realize and experience a foretaste of what Heaven will be. “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” (CCC 27)
There will always be detractors and/or deniers of the articles of Faith; these people are called heretics, schismatics or apostates, and they will meet their judgement in this world or the next. Jesus also warns us that some of these people will take up residence within the Church itself, trying to sow seeds of doubt and confusion (wolves in sheep’s clothing); and history has shown us that some of greatest heresies the Church has ever had to deal with, originated from within the bishops and clergy. This is why it is always incumbent on all of us to strengthen our Faith every single day, through prayer and study and never “take someone’s word for it.” I often hear as a priest “I read a book by Fr. Soandso, and he says, blah, blah… so that’s what I believe now.” My response is, just because someone writes a book and is a priest does not give their opinion any more weight than mine or yours or a rock; the only opinion that matters is that of God’s and He has revealed that to us in the Scriptures and through the infallible expression of Faith in the Magisterium of the Church.
Last week Kris Dobson mentioned some exciting opportunities we have upcoming to strengthen and grow our Faith; please use them. These opportunities are meant to help you to love Jesus more and to grow closer to Him! Never as a priest have I obsessed about how many people attend a class or how many people we have registered for an event; my goal is about seeking the Lord and deepening our relationship with Him. Jesus started with 12; it’s not about numbers, it’s about commitment to grow as disciples and closer to Christ. This is a reason why we continue to offer FORMED.ORG free to our pastorate, so you can continue to strengthen your relationship with Jesus and grow closer to the God who “never ceases to draw man to himself” (CCC 27).
Our Catholic Faith is NOT a 60-minute commitment on Sunday morning; it is a 24 hour a day, 365 day per year, lifetime which leads to eternity. Some of us have gotten into bad habits over the last couple years with the pandemic, some have slipped due to the summer months, some haven’t sought to learn anything more about their faith since the last time they were in CCD as children! All of these require us to take the initiative to respond to God who is calling us to Himself and make the changes we need to in order to be prepared for Christ, as He tells us in the gospel this weekend “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” This is NOT a threat by Jesus, but a promise, that He indeed is coming, and He WANTS us to be ready and waiting for Him, because only those who are prepared will be able to rejoice and to “live in communion with God in whom he finds happiness: ‘When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrow or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete’ (St. Augustine, The Confessions)” (CCC, 45).
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy On Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray For Us
Sts. Joseph, Michael, Peter, Paul and Augustine – Pray For Us