"The Way of the Righteous"

Proverbs 4:17

In writing to Timothy, once a youth leader and now pastor of local churches, St Paul counsels him to focus on what is worth focusing on, following after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Pursue faith, counsels Paul.  So, what was Paul talking about? 

Faith is a very rich word with, sometimes, different meanings.  On the one hand, “faith” means a list of beliefs. 

In fact, almost every Sunday, I invite you to join me in voicing the faith of the church in the words of the Nicene Creed.

Faith, in such understanding is a list of beliefs, mostly written – although sometimes the list even if not written, still carries considerable weight in the life of the church.

And even if such listings appear to be far removed from our daily life and the challenges that we face in the world, nevertheless, they are the foundation for our spiritual life. 

For instance, prayer doesn’t make any sense unless we believe that God in the person of Jesus Christ came into the world.  However, in the list of beliefs there is nothing about worshiping on Sunday.  It is a centuries-old tradition but, no one could dismiss a Christian who by living in a Muslin country, cannot gather for worship Sunday mornings!

However, no one can consider himself or herself a Christian if he or she believes only in God but not in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

So, as you can see, even under the rubric of the faith of the church, there are core beliefs – beliefs that define whether one can claim to be a Christian, and others which are more open to interpretation, like using wine or grape juice for communion, for instance.

In urging Timothy to hold on to the faith and considering that during the early years of the church there were deep disagreements, nevertheless, Paul insists in the importance of taking heed to the essentials of the faith.

But faith is more than being able to say the names of all the books of the Old Testament, being able to recall the names of the churches listed in the Book of Revelation or remembering how many questions the Catechism answers.  Faith in the Christian tradition is not like playing Holy Trivial Pursuit.

At its core Christian Faith implies a commitment to values, ideals, hopes, and sacred stories that offer purpose and direction to life.  And often, it is such commitment to purpose and direction what will lead us whenever we are called to go through the hard and narrow paths of life.

But there is more to the word faith, and is the meaning attached to the word “faith” which we often use at a personal level.  “We need to have faith that things well turn up for the better.” 

Or, as St James counsels, “Pray in faith for those who are sick for God shall restore them.” (1:15).

Even as we consider our life in our own St. David’s, showing up on Sunday is an expression of faith – That even if we are small bunch, nevertheless the Lord will be present in the prayers and the Breaking of the Bread.

In those uses, the word faith means more than plain hope – it expresses belief, trust, confidence.

Let me suggest that in addressing Timothy, Paul perhaps had in mind more this second understanding of faith, rather than the first, as a list of beliefs.

In his letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul says that “faith” is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning that God’s presence in our lives – through His Spirit – will create in us such sense of confidence and trust.

Such was the prayer of the man who in approaching Jesus asking – praying, literally – for the healing of his son, cries, “I believe, Lord!  Yet, help me in my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

This story as well as St Paul wise words to Timothy reminds us that faith is not always steady; rather, it can endure alongside doubts and questions.

For faith often involves a journey, with moments of struggle and honest admission of our need for God’s help.  For in our journey sometimes we may not be able to figure out how God could possible can provide and answer to the cry of our souls, and how God could possibly pull us through the raging storms of “what ifs” and self-doubt.

It is in these moments of vulnerability that faith is deepened.  As we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite Him to strengthen our trust our faith will flourish, even when if in the same breath we may confess our incredulity.

Indeed, in our daily lives, embracing both belief and uncertainty can lead us to a richer, more authentic relationship with God.

In this understanding, faith, then, is not a static possession but a living, dynamic practice that grows and adapts as we encounter new challenges and experiences.  It calls us to persist, to seek understanding, and to remain open to God’s presence, even when the path is unclear, the answer uncertain, and the odds appear to be set against us.

But it is in this way that our faith will become both a source of comfort and a catalyst for transformation, guiding us forward even through the clouds of unbelief. 

One of the sages of the Old Testament once wrote, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”  (Proverbs 4:17)

May God, by His tender mercy, shine ever brighter as you journey in faith until the day of perfect vision and perfect love in the presence of your Creator and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all.  Amen.

Fr. Gustavo