All the readings today, 1Cor 15: 1-8; Ps 19: 2-5; and Jn. 14: 6-14 link to a faith. A non-religious scientist asked me in a personal conversation last month: “What is your faith? Is it a frivolous, idea system, or a thing for human kind to cling to? Are you wasting your life being a religious Sister for a vain idea”? How can we discuss faith when we have different views and beliefs?
Faith is invisible. It is a thing to live. It is so small yet so big, physical eyes cannot see and human mind cannot measure. No one can touch, hold, control or destroy faith. It presents in, out and around us, like the air issue in human life. Faith is a thing to live. It is absolutely not a frivolous, idea system or a thing for human kind to cling to. Like love, it is invisible, but we recognize it through lovers’ actions. The actions through, for and by love make invisible love to be present in visible ways. The same way, the works of God show us how good and wonderful God is and God does. Psalm 19 says: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of God’s hands…… There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world.”
Faith is a way for us to see this life. Faith is belief with certainty which goes beyond the need for physical proof. It is not in the same way as a scientist searches for knowledge, who sees a molecule of water (H2O) equals two hydrogen molecules plus one oxygen molecule. It is a way to see a meaning and goal of human life. Looking at this universe and ourselves, we believe the Absolute Good is beyond us. The Absolute Good reveals itself somewhere, in a deep place of our heart, our desire, our universe and culture of life.
Faith is complete confidence in someone, who is Absolute Good. Like a baby, who cannot see the world outside of a mother womb, but does a baby still feel and connect to this world in some way? Faith lets us know that we were born like the Absolute Good. Our life is invited to shine it, so others see us, they can image about the Absolute Good. As Jesus said, “the Father abiding in Me does His works.… Truly, I say to you, he / she who believes in Me, the works that I do, he/she will do also” (Jn. 14:10-12).
Being in religious life is being likewise as Jesus is in and for this world today. It is a sign of the Absolute, which is the Truth, Good, Beauty, and Love. Being in religious life is not being against human values. It presents the deep aspect of freedom choice. It is a beautiful, meaningful and challenging life, because it is a witness for the Absolute value. If we compare a religious life as a floating candle on a river flowing in a dark night, it seems a wasted candle light. However, if we see it as part of the whole universe with the stars on the sky, we can see, a candle is contributing into a wonderful picture of the universe in that dark night. Not everyone can recognize the beauty of art or music in the same level. Not everyone can hear the wonder of creation in a peaceful evening. Not everyone can see a deep peace in a gentle heart. Not everyone, who can feel the breath of universe. But those who can bring a richness to the world.
As a Christian, I believe that God created the universe, and human beings, because God is the Absolute of Truth, Good, Beauty, and Love. Where there is love, there is life. I believe God, who became a human being and died on the cross to bring humankind into the everlasting life. It is a highest action of God’s love for us to be confident in hope, joy, trust, relationship, share and care for creation, ourselves, and others. Thus, as we left our mother’s womb to enter this life, we see this world is colorful; and on the day we will leave this world to be born into heaven, we can smile to see this life is beautiful and meaningful. It is my faith.