Faith

Believing in Love

"So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

Opening Question

What's the difference between knowing about someone and actually trusting them?

That's the difference between information about God and faith in God.

Jesus Calls Us to Trust

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me... I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
— John 14:1, 6

Faith = Trust in a Person

When you hear "faith" — think "trust in Jesus"
The Greek word pistis always orbits around trust
Jesus doesn't say "trust these facts about me"—he says "trust in me"
Jesus claims to be the way—not a way

The Church Teaches

"Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith 'man freely commits his entire self to God.'"
— CCC 1814

Faith Is Spiritual Armor

FAITH "...hold faith as a shield," "to quench all the flaming" "arrows of the evil one." — Eph 6:16

The Most Honest Prayer

"Jesus said to him, 'If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith.' Then the boy's father cried out, 'I do believe, help my unbelief!'"
— Mark 9:23-24

This is where most of us live—
somewhere between belief and doubt.

Faith: Gift + Choice

Faith is a gift from God—we can't manufacture it
But we must choose to receive it and cooperate with it
Doubt is not the opposite of faith—refusal is (CCC 2089)
We can have questions and still believe

Faith Can Grow or Weaken

Faith Grows Through

  • Prayer—asking God for more
  • The Sacraments
  • Scripture & Church teaching
  • Community with believers
  • Acting on what we believe

Faith Weakens When

  • Neglecting prayer & sacraments
  • Surrounded by unbelief
  • Refusing to act on truth
  • Other priorities crowd God out

The Foundation for Everything

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen... Without faith it is impossible to please God, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
— Hebrews 11:1, 6

Faith → Hope → Love

FAITH

We believe

The door opens

→

HOPE

We trust His promises

Confidence grows

→

LOVE

We respond

The goal

"Faith working through love" — Galatians 5:6

Living Faith

"The gift of faith remains in one who has not sinned against it. But 'faith apart from works is dead': when it is deprived of hope and love, faith does not fully unite the believer to Christ and does not make him a living member of his Body."
— CCC 1815

Faith that doesn't lead to love isn't real faith.

Reflection

Where in your life are you being called to trust Jesus more deeply?

What would "I believe; help my unbelief!" look like for you today?

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We have heard your call to faith—
to trust in you, not just to know about you.

Now we take time for prayer in your presence.
Help us to bring our doubts, our fears, and our unbelief.
Meet us there. Increase our faith.

We come now to be with you,
the One in whom we place our trust.

In your holy name we pray.
Amen.