View from the top of the Vatican, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012
“and they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe no longer because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he is indeed the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42
Do you believe? If so, why do you believe? If you don’t believe, then why not?
Belief in God, in Jesus, and in The Holy Spirit often does not come easy. For some the concepts are far too thought provoking. They don’t ever take the time to examine their thoughts and feelings at such depths. For others, belief in God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit is too restricting. They do not want to be held accountable for the thoughts words or actions. They don’t want to admit to themselves that sin exists. Still others have many personal issues. They feel life has mistreated them and refuse to believe in a God who they feel has hurt them or deserted them. And then there are those who say there is no real proof that a God even exists.
Those who have faith and truly believe in God have many reasons for doing so. For some it is a belief system they were born into and never questioned, or never owned for themselves, yet feel it to be true and good. There are some who believe just because others believe, or because others, whom they respect, have told them what to believe. Then there are those who believe because they have sought God with all their heart, have studied His Word, accepted the sacrificial offering of His only Begotten Son, and received His Grace through the Blessed Sacraments. They have owned and live their belief.
In the above Gospel of John, the woman at the well believes because Jesus, whom she has never met, can tell her whole life’s story. She has heard of the Christ who is to come and who will be able to explain everything, so she asks Him about this. Jesus says to her, “That is who I am, I who speak to you.” (John 4:26) The woman then hurries back to the town and tells everyone what she has learned. At first the people believe because of what she tells them. After they go and hear Jesus for themselves, they believe on the strength of what He tells them. They have sought Him out themselves. They now own their belief.
God calls on you to own what you believe. He sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, His Word made flesh, to explain everything to you. To hear what He has to say read the Gospels and flollow in Jesus footsteps as He teaches the Good News to any and everyone who longs to hear it. He heals them physically, mentally, and spiritually. He makes them whole.
This Lent make reading in your Bible a priority in your faith routine. Study the precepts of The Church. Learn what you believe and why you believe it. Only then can you own your faith.
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