1. THE GIFT OF FAITH

APPETIZER: "Faith is first of all a personal adherence of humans to God. At the same time, and inseparably, it is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church  #150)

MAIN COURSE: In starting off our study of Catholic Christianity, it only makes sense to begin with the most basic religious question that humans have: what is faith and how can it make a difference in my life?  We use the word "faith" so much and throw it around so easily that oftentimes we really don't stop to think about what it really means according to the Bible and the teachings of Christ. The CCC tells us that faith is a twofold reality.

First of all, faith is the gift of living in a personal relationship with God. The CCC in technical theological language calls this faith-relationship "personal adherence of humans to God".  In everyday speak we would translate this as "clinging to God".  So before anything else, faith is all about relationships and relationships are all about love. God who is Love (see 1 Jn 4:8) is the gift-giver and we are simply the receivers.  He takes the first step in reaching out to us and inviting us to live in a personal intimate relationship with him. 

Secondly, faith is the making of a gift of ourselves to God in trust. The CCC calls faith "a free assent" to God and it means that we accept his invitation and personally choose to live in relationship with him. Part of this choice is accepting what he has revealed or made known about himself, about religion, about life. This is the definition of faith that most people think of when they say that faith is believing in God. 

So far, so good.  But there are indeed those who might go on to ask..."How do I know there is a God who invites me into this relationship with him?" That's an excellent question and one asked by many throughout human history.  The ultimate answer is the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but before we get to that later on in our studies, we will first take a quick look at three ways people on planet Earth have come to faith in God without encountering Jesus.

Finding God in Nature. The awesome wonders and profound mysteries of our universe and of the human person have been studied by scientists for centuries. The more they learn, the more they discover that there is more to learn! But one thing becomes clear: there is design, intention, purpose, mindfulness in creation. Things cooperate together like intricate clockwork to make the solar system do what it needs to do,  to make the human person operate at optimum levels and healthy functions. Even a small deflection from this pre-programmed existence can set creation into chaos or the human person to the hospital! Many scientists and ordinary everyday people see that there must an a Supreme Intelligence responsible for all of this order and function.  We have come call this Master Designer, God.

Finding God in Human Behavior.  Historians and archaeologists have told us that every culture for which they have discovered records, no matter how ancient or primitive or isolated from other peoples, seem to agree upon certain non-negotiable moral or immoral norms of human behavior.  For example, murder and stealing are always considered wrong, while bravery and loyalty are always praised as good. How is it that human beings throughout our history and for most of this time without forms of communication with one another, have come to the same basic moral principles?  This has led many to conclude that there must be a Supreme Creator who has placed these common non-negotiable moral norms into the human heart as a vital part of who we are. We have come to call this Great Lawgiver, God.

Finding God within Ourselves. The need to love and to be loved; the desire to be known for who we are and to be accepted as we are, is a common deeply-ingrained yearning of our humanity. We all want to be happy. Would you ever meet an emotionally healthy person who honestly says, "I do not want to be loved or known or accepted. I do not want to be happy."? This desire is universal no matter what one's gender, age, race, culture or religion.  But nothing and no one seems to be able to accomplish this for us perfectly and consistently.  People let us down at times. Jobs become unfulfilling. Goals reached become empty trophies. This tells us that deep within us, in our core, our spirit there is a place, some call it a hole, that only someone or something that is perfect, faithful and trustworthy can fill.  We humans have come to call this Someone , God.

You can see how these three ways of finding God can offer some people the beginnings of faith, but they cannot really answer fully the question of "Why?"  Only Jesus of Nazareth, God-come-in-the-flesh, can do this for us. But today's study of faith is just the beginning. A simple foundation. We will move on to learn more and hopefully grow more in our faith-relationship with God as our Bite-Size Catechism continues.

DOGGIE BAG:  Here are a few things to take away with you for spiritual snacking on the gift of faith.

An Act of Faith (traditional): 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 can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.

An Act of Faith (contemporary): Lord, I believe in you. I believe you are good. I believe that you see me and you love me and that I am treasured in your sight. I trust in you and in your word. But Lord, help my unbelief. Help that part of me that needs a deeper faith-relationship with you. 

Scripture Verse to memorize: I have called you by name and you are mine. (Is 43:1)