Monday, February 21, 2011

Faith: What does it mean to me?

"If you can!
Everything is possible to one who has faith!
Surely each reader  or hearer of these words must be stopped for even a brief second or two to reflect on personal questions about what might be challenges in life.  "Why this?"  "Why that?"  "I really don't understand." All these and many more that could be put forward here.

What does the word "faith" mean to me when I hear it or read it?  A basic question could be do I have "faith" of any kind or description?
Consider a scale, like the one just above.  On one side place the importance you give to knowing faith and living in that knowledge.  On the other scale place the number of times you have run to Jesus with the question of the concerned parent in today's gospel reading:  "If you can ....!"  Would the scales balance?  Or, which side would go down? 

Perhaps a simple exercise such as this can help us strengthen the reality of faith in our lives.  And, while at this, don't forget there is another component that is very important:  wisdom!  What part does wisdom play in faith?