Faith


FAITH

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

As we keep this year as the “Year of Faith”, I would like to share a short reflection on this particular theme from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. In Romans 3:21-31, St. Paul tells us that we are the children of God not because of our good works or something extra-ordinary but rather it is because of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
            In Romans 4:9-12, we find a very interesting question put forth by St. Paul and that is “Was Abraham circumcised first and then did he believe?” No, he believed in God first and it was only then that he was circumcised. The circumcision was God’s covenantal sign with the people of Israel. It was an external sign of the bond that God had established.
            As I apply this in the context of the priestly and religious life, it is but true that many people wish us and respect us for several reasons. In most cases, we are in cassock or they may know someone to be a priest which is why they respect.
            The priest is indeed a very valuable person. He represents Christ to the people. Yet priesthood is something much deeper. I am reminded of a quotation which I came across some time ago. This quotation comes from a certain priest by the name Fr. Thomas Rosica. He says, “Priesthood is about who we are and not what we do.” (from the magazine “PETRUS”)
            I think one major question that we could ask ourselves is “Is Faith Enough?” or do we need to compliment it with good works? The answer I think is rather obvious. Both are required. The letter to the Hebrews put this phenomenon very beautifully.
            Often at times, most of us priests and religious do a lot of good work but somewhere down the line we forget for Whom we work. As a result, some ‘good’ religious then enter a ‘crisis’ mode wherein they feel that they are no different from any other social worker. Worst of all they could even feel threatened thinking that the work of a social worker is better than what they as religious do. What then does one do in such situations?
            In the first place, what is required is a renewed sense of identity. We should ask ourselves “Who am I?” or “What am I called to do?” This was a question that St. Bernard always asked himself as a young novice in the monastery, “Bernard, Bernard, what have you come here for?”
            Having put that into place, this sets the tone for us to bloom in the Lord’s vineyard. What is unique about our work as priests and religious is that we have the responsibility of taking Christ’s Gospel through the work that we do. We may not ‘quote’ the Gospel text or preach to the people but it is and should be through our very demeanour that people should recognize who we are. This will happen only if our faith in the Lord is truly genuine.
            What is even more striking is that it is our faith that will keep us going in dark times just as the anchor of a ship helps in keeping the ship at rest even if there may be turbulent weather conditions.  

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