The Approach of Faith

Some put on airs as if they were bright and knowledgeable of mysteries but then they miss the point and lose their faith or true knowledge. Even in the matter of knowledge in the world there is need of humility to listen and obey, how much more as regards the mysteries and secrets of God’s kingdom. One related the story of a monk who had a visitor intent on learning the secrets of a life that is truthful. As he poured coffee liberally into the cup of his visitor, the coffee spilled from the cup. The monk told the visitor “That’s your first lesson.” In order to learn you have to be like an empty cup ready to receive the pouring of water, otherwise you will not learn much when you believe you already have all the answers. Then you will fall into that pitiable feature of a proud person – a “little knowledge is dangerous”. The truly wise person is willing to listen since he knows there is still so much to learn.

Jesus has clearly outlined the approach to faith. It does not mean a total absence of signs or motivations but rather as expressed several times by our Lord, it is an attitude of sincerity and simplicity as of a little child. “’I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing” (Mk. 10:15); refer also to Mt. 18:3 and Lk. 18:17. Such should be our attitude to the life and miracles of our Savior Jesus Christ. St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the only priest stigmatist, once spoke to a certain convert of his, Federico Abresch: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.” You can see therefore in world history how those who prided themselves in their knowledge of the world were not able to grasp the divine truths and teachings of Jesus and His Church in spite of the miracles He had performed by His divine power. The culminating miracle in His life was His Crucifixion and Resurrection from the dead, a fact witnessed by hundreds of people, which goes to prove the way of Jesus as the way of love, truth and goodness. Hence St. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians describes love as: humble, patient and forgiving (cf. 1 Cor. 13: 4-13).