The readings this week contain a challenge to us to consider the place faith holds in our relationship with God. Saint Paul writes in our 2nd reading: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith, simply put, means “belief.” Faith development has been described in theology texts as “… A growth in living and understanding Christian faith that follows the stages of human maturation.” That makes sense to me, but perhaps not as we would expect. The innocent faith of a child might actually be stronger than the faith of an adult who is looking for more concrete and detailed answers. I recall the words of my oldest son when he was about 5 or 6 years old, when he was convinced that God loved him more than anyone else! For many of us as adults, we will have times when we question God’s response to our prayers, largely because He didn’t respond as we wanted. As a child we took God’s generous love as a given; as an adult we want to domesticate God and have expectations that He listen to our prayers as if we were calling the shots. As if!
Saint Augustine wrestled with the complementary tension between “faith” and “reason,” and I think this captures one of the essential changes as we mature; we reason differently, and demand answers from God and others differently than a child might. Augustine wrote that reason is how the soul gazes at the world, at our lives. And the lens of reason for each person is affected by faith, by hope and by love. In reverse order, for Augustine, love brings the desire to see and enjoy God’s gifts; hope is the internal expectation that it will be possible to see God’s gifts; and faith is the belief that when we gaze upon God’s gifts, that will make us happy and fulfilled.
That of course does not make our prayers as adults broken, but our experiences of life are the lens through which we encounter God. We have no choice but to encounter God through our lives, through our human senses and imagination – all gifts from God.
Are we, then, ready for this incredible journey of faith, hope and love with God? Our Gospel begins this week with Jesus’ instruction: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). “Do not be afraid” was the most frequent phrase repeated by Pope Saint John Paul II in his writings and audiences.
Let us embrace the uncertainty of our understanding, and savor the reality that God knows better than I what I need at every moment. Allow our faith – our belief in God – to overcome our quest for reason. I don’t need to know “why” God does things for me; I only need to believe that God loves each one of us more than I can imagine! May we be blessed to return to the simplicity or faith in our five-year-old selves!
- Father Jim
Hospice Care Information
Faith at Home
These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313. Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org
Local food pantries include:
St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.
First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown
Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown
Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053
SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your
request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your
generous ongoing donations.
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.
The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.
ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
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