This post is the fourth in a series of posts called “Living Life in the Light of Faith” a chapter-by-chapter exploration of Pope Francis’ first encyclical letter “Lumen Fidei“—the Light of Faith. Even this series only scratches the surface of it, so I suggest you read the entire letter.
Faith Brings You Out of Yourself
So many people see faith as an individual opinion or point of view, but faith in God is not like this at all. When we accept the gift of faith it is true that we are invited into a personal relationship, but the external effect of this interior life is one that actually brings us out of ourselves and closer to those around us.
Pope Francis has constantly reminded us “do not close in on yourselves!” This form of faith is not very helpful, nor is it healthy. For when faith becomes self-centered it ceases to serve its purpose to lead us closer to God and neighbor (Lk 10:27; Dt 6:5).
“Faith teaches us to see that every man and woman represents a blessing for me, that the light of God’s face shines on me through the faces of my brothers and sisters.”
~ Lumen Fidei, 54
When we are able to wrap our heads around this idea, that God is present to us in our fellow man—whether or not we deem them worthy or whether or not we even like them—it has the ability to change our lives and to change the world. For it is true, that Christ is present in His people (Mt 18:20; Mt 25:40).
“At the heart of biblical faith is God’s love, his concrete concern for every person, and his plan of salvation which embraces all of humanity and all creation, culminating in the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without insight into these realities, there is no criterion for discerning what makes human life precious and unique. Man loses his place in the universe, he is cast adrift in nature, either renouncing his proper moral responsibility or else presuming to be a sort of absolute judge, endowed with an unlimited power to manipulate the world around him.”
~ Lumen Fidei, 54
So we see that in faith, we enter into relationship with God who is love, and that love is so powerful that not only does it fill us, but overflows from us and into others. The more we come to love God, the more we come to love our neighbors. Denial of this interrelational faith is to fashion oneself as God. This is a self-destructive path to follow, as I learned the hard way.
Why Faith Unites All Humanity
A mature faith in God is no longer a relationship based on fear, but on love. This love transforms and unites. As humans we feel the urge to come together around this love, this goodness, we usually refer to it as the common good. It is not based on subjective feelings or opinions, but on objective truth, truth that is true for everyone. Jesus Christ is the Truth (Jn 14:6).
“Faith does not draw us away from the world or prove irrelevant to the concrete concerns of men and women of our time. Without a love which is trustworthy, nothing could truly keep men and women united. Human unity would be conceivable only on the basis of utility, on a calculus of conflicting interests or on fear, but not on the goodness of living together, not on the joy which the mere presence of others can give. Faith makes us appreciate the architecture of human relationships because it grasps their ultimate foundation and definitive destiny in God, in his love, and thus sheds light on the art of building; as such it becomes a service to the common good. Faith is truly a good for everyone; it is a common good. Its light does not simply brighten the interior of the Church, nor does it serve solely to build an eternal city in the hereafter; it helps us build our societies in such a way that they can journey towards a future of hope.”
~ Lumen Fidei, 51
In order for a common good to exist we must first acknowledge the intrinsic dignity found in every human being. Every person has value, not based on their actions, heritage, wealth, or anything other than the simple truth that we are made in the image of God (Gn 1:26). If we don’t have value, then there is no sense in seeking or even caring about the good of another. In this case we are no more than animals and the survival of the fittest replaces the common good.
“Modernity sought to build a universal brotherhood based on equality, yet we gradually came to realize that this brotherhood, lacking a reference to a common Father as its ultimate foundation, cannot endure.”
~ Lumen Fidei, 51
We are members of a family, united by the blood of Christ that runs through our veins. And as such it is not just race or religion that brings us together, but God. Without that connection we fail to find true unity, we fail to build successful societies. Pope Francis also warns that without this connection in faith, our societies would become weakened.
“If we remove faith in God from our cities, mutual trust would be weakened, we would remain united only by fear and our stability would be threatened.”
~ Lumen Fidei, 55
This has been proven time and again over the course of history. Look at the two great world wars of the past century and it becomes clear. See the failed attempts at communism. When faith is done away with so is the value and dignity of the human person. This effects not only the individual person, but the whole of humanity and for that reason evangelization is so important. Faith must be shared in order for our societies to be successful, for humanity to continue on. Faith is the light that illumines our purpose, our dignity, our place in the order of creation.
This post is the fourth in a series of posts called “Living Life in the Light of Faith” a chapter-by-chapter exploration of Pope Francis’ first encyclical letter “Lumen Fidei“—the Light of Faith. Even this series only scratches the surface of it, so I suggest you read the entire letter.