PART 2:  FAITH – A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CATECHISM WITH ST. PAUL AND THE CHURCH FATHERS

Continued from Part 1...

In the previous part of this article, we looked at the definitions of faith found in the Catechism and Scripture. We have reflected on the fact that no one can give himself faith, and a person cannot reason his way into faith. 

SHIELD OF FAITH

Faith is a gift from God, imparted by the Holy Spirit. Even though it is given by God, we ourselves must hold on tightly to our faith. In Ephesians 6:16, St. Paul exhorts us, “In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”  Further, the Catechism reminds us why we need the shield of faith: 

Even though enlightened by Him in Whom we believe, faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test.  The world we live in often seems very far from the one promised us by faith.  Our experiences of evil and suffering, injustice and death seem to contradict the Good News; they can shake our faith and become a temptation against it. (Catechism, 164, accessed 8-19-2023)

St. Paul further explains what happens if we don’t hold onto the shield of faith.  He says, “May you fight a good fight by having faith and a good conscience.  Some, by rejecting conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith” (1 Timothy 1:18-19).

In order to nurture our faith, at the very least, we must rely on the Word of God and prayer.  The Catechism says it best: “To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end, we must nourish it with the Word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith” (Catechism 162, accessed 8-19-2023).

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

In one of St. Paul’s most famous lines, he encourages us, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  We are no longer in conflict with God. In spite of all of the trials and tribulations of this world, we have been justified because of the gift of faith, and He has saved us for Himself.

Our faith and love of the Lord will bring us to our ultimate goal.  St. Paul tells us:

Although you have not seen Him, you love Him; even though you do not see Him, now yet believe in Him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

The foreshadowing of our salvation, our gift of eternal life, is described by St. Basil in the Catechism: 

When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy. (Catechism, 162, accessed 8-19-2023)

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Those of us who believe to the truths of God, who have faith in Him and all His teachings, we are urged to live our faith through our works.  Where does this leave us?  The Catechism points the way:

Faith is a personal act — the free response of the human person to the initiative of God Who reveals Himself.  But faith is not an isolated act.  No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone.  You have not given yourself faith, as you have not given yourself life.  The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers.  I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith, I help support others in the faith. (Catechism, 164, accessed 8-19-2023).

So this is not the end, but the beginning.

References:

Catholic Answers: What the Early Church Believed: “Faith and Works,” accessed 8-19-2023, https://www.catholic.com/tract/what-the-early-church-believed-faith-and-works

Holy Bible: All quotes from New American Bible Revised Edition unless otherwise noted

USCCB, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1.1.3, accessed 8-19-2023, https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/1.1.3