杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Without the three theological virtues, 鈥渨e would not have eyes that see even in the dark, we would not have a heart that loves even when it is not loved, we would not have a hope that dares against all hope,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said at the General Audience on Wednesday.

After considering the four cardinal virtues, the Holy Father has now turned to the theological virtues, focusing this week on faith, 鈥渢he act by which the human being freely commits himself to God.鈥�

Examples of faith

, the Holy Father held up the example of Abraham, who left his home for a new land at God鈥檚 command and was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac due to his trust in God.

Moses, too, was a man of faith, continuing 鈥渢o stand firm and trust in the Lord, and even defend the people who were so often lacking in faith.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis then pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who responded to the Angel鈥檚 annunciation with the humble reply, 鈥淏ehold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.鈥� 鈥淲ith her heart full of trust in God,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, Mary set out on her path without knowing either the route or the dangers.

It is faith that 鈥渕akes the Christian,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, because 鈥渢o be Christians is not first and foremost about accepting a culture,鈥� but about a relationship with God.

The first gift of the Christian life

Recalling the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted the disciples' fear, saying it is fear, not reason or intelligence, that is the enemy of faith.

This, he said, is why faith is 鈥渢he first gift to welcome in Christian life,鈥� the gift parents ask for the children at Baptism.鈥� They realize that they have received a gift which they want for their children, knowing that 鈥渆ven in the trials of life, their child will not drown in fear.鈥�

鈥楲ord, increase our faith鈥�

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis recognized that not everyone has faith and that even Christians can find their faith in short supply. But faith, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋s the happiest gift, the only virtue we are permitted to envy,鈥� precisely because it 鈥溾�榯riggers鈥� grace in us and opens the mind to the mystery of God.鈥�

鈥淭herefore,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 concluded, 鈥渓et us, too, like the disciples, repeat to Him, 鈥楲ord, increase our faith!鈥欌��