YEAR OF FAITH: Oct. 11, 2012-Nov. 24, 2013
“Only through believing, then, does faith grow and become stronger; there is no other possibility for possessing certitude with regard to one’s life apart from self-abandonment, in a continuous crescendo, into the hands of love that seems to grow constantly because it has its origin in God.” Pope Benedict XVI
DO I HAVE FAITH? Faith in Jesus Christ changes everything. It positions my life smack dab at the center point of mystery. With faith, my human life is not merely the sum total of my physiology, my psychology, my familial world and friendship networks, my works and avocations-it is so much more! With faith in Jesus Christ I am granted the vision to see the sublime dignity of the human person, ratified in His Incarnation; with faith my eyes are opened to perceive the truth of human love as gift and privileged participation in His Trinitarian life; with faith I recognize that the astounding beauty, intricacy and symmetry of the natural world is but a reflection of the grandeur of God; with faith the horizons of my life expand beyond the material universe to the Maker of that universe.
Every year is a good year to grow in faith, but this Year of Faith holds the promise of special graces and opportunities to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and to receive from the treasures of His Church. There is a big difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. Pope Benedict has noted, “Christianity is not a new philosophy or new morality. We are Christians only if we encounter Christ…Only in this personal relationship with Christ, only in this encounter with the Risen One do we really become Christians…” An encounter with Jesus changes us.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta told of the time a woman rescued from the gutter in terrible condition was brought into one of the houses of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa welcomed her with great gentleness, cared for her and spent hours cleansing the festering sores that covered her body. Despite this, the woman never stopped cursing. Through it all, Mother Teresa continued wiping the sweat off the woman’s brow and moistening her burning lips. Finally the woman asked: “Sister, why are you doing this? Mother Teresa’s answer: “My God taught me”. Kissing her, Mother Teresa answered: “You know my God. My God is called Love.”
This is our God-One who so loves us, and so desires us to know and love Him in return, that He makes Himself a helpless baby so that we might have no fear in approaching Him. This is the God we are called to recognize, receive and share in a renewed way during this Year of faith.