Yes, there are many right answers. I’ll just offer a couple quick thoughts.Discussion topic. Not sure there are any right/wrong answers here, so just looking to see how others may wish to comment.
Faith is man’s response to God’s word.
That being so - how do you yourself find you become more responsive to God’s word, such that you may increase your faith?
Through Love…Discussion topic. Not sure there are any right/wrong answers here, so just looking to see how others may wish to comment.
Faith is man’s response to God’s word.
That being so - how do you yourself find you become more responsive to God’s word, such that you may increase your faith?
When things are hard, and desperate, and chaotic…we let go. We realize that it is a strength and a grace given to us from God to be able to do so. The most poignant little miracles in our lives happen when we’re able to just let go and trust in God to do what He wills. Someone said once that “God’s strength is greatest in our weakness.” That’s the point, I think. We control, we plan, we scheme, and then we panic when it doesn’t all go out way.As I read the responses, I can’t help but think it is easy to have faith when we are consoled, but what about when things are desolate?
At a recent Secular Carmelite meeting, we discussed Mary’s response and fiat “Be it done to me according to Thy word”, and it was noted she was afraid but consoled by the angel. However, even Jesus fell while carrying the cross, so it wouldn’t be very surprising if she would have found it difficult to respond to the motions during Christ’s passion.
Mary’s experiences during the passion were somewhat exceptional, however. As the Immaculate Conception - she would have been given the graces to help her through even the most dire situations. We humble sinners may have greater struggles, and find it hard to respond faithfully to to such challenging circumstances.
So what do we do then?
All I can say is … WOW…and of course, Praise be to God.What we do when we have struggles is turn to God who gave us faith to begin with.
I recall when my son who was born prematurely at 27 weeks was dying, in the neonatal intensive care unit.
My wife and myself were given a private room to wait in, while they disconnected my son from all the tubes and respirator that he was hooked up to. They were going to bring him to us, so we could hold him while he died.
My wife was broken and asking why, why is God allowing this. We had received the gift of faith only four years before, through Jesus Christ, but now we’re being put to the test and it seemed unfair to my wife.
My only response, not really having nothing else to say was, it’s all in God’s hands.
We waited, but they didn’t bring our son. Instead, the nurse came and told us that the priest was there to give him the sacrament of sick and dying, so we could come into the unit now. We met this strange priest we didn’t know and the three of us got dressed in the gowns and paper booties they make you wear in the intensive care unit, and went over to my son. The priest anointed him and was saying the prayers of the sacrament when he turn to me and asked, “what’s the babies name?” I answered, “Robert James.” The priest smiled at me and said, “that’s my name.” Suddenly, my wife and myself felt the peace of God among us. We knew, that whatever happened, it was all in God’s hands. The priest finished and we all walked out of the unit feeling sad but at peace. The priest said good bye and God bless, and we never saw him again. No sooner the when the priest left, the nurses and doctors were rushing into the unit to my son and working frantically. We figured it was over. However, one of the nurses came out to us and told us that they didn’t understand what happened, but my son was turning around. He was getting oxygen in his blood and his color was normal. To make a long story short, my son’s life came back and he recovered, and in just three more weeks, we were able to take home our baby boy.
So, I know how I responded and will respond again, in time of crises. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some times that I had to struggle with my trust in God, but God always provided a profound meaning as he got me through each event.
FYI, my son is 31 years old.
Jim
You ask a very good question and one of the most difficult to answer.As I read the responses, I can’t help but think it is easy to have faith when we are consoled, but what about when things are desolate?
At a recent Secular Carmelite meeting, we discussed Mary’s response and fiat “Be it done to me according to Thy word”, and it was noted she was afraid but consoled by the angel. However, even Jesus fell while carrying the cross, so it wouldn’t be very surprising if she would have found it difficult to respond to the motions during Christ’s passion.
Mary’s experiences during the passion were somewhat exceptional, however. As the Immaculate Conception - she would have been given the graces to help her through even the most dire situations. We humble sinners may have greater struggles, and find it hard to respond faithfully to to such challenging circumstances.
So what do we do then?