Adoration Mission Santa Cruz, California
By his Revelation, "the invisible God, from the fullness of his love, addresses men as his friends, and moves among them, in order to invite and receive them into his own company." The adequate response to this invitation is faith. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #142)
Our faith life is a grace, a gift from God, that brings us into a personal, loving union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1. Faith is a personal and communal relationship - It is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed, a personal relationship with the Triune God. But is is not just private, as we profess our faith together as the Body of Christ at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
2. Faith is a gift of Grace from God - God not only speaks to us, he also gives us the grace to respond. Growth in understanding God's Revelation of faith is a lifelong process.
3. Faith is necessary for salvation - "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned." (CCC #183)
4. Faith is a free, human act - God never forces his truth and love upon us. He reveals himself to us as free human beings, and our faith response to him is made within the context of our freedom.
Faith is both a relationship with God as well as an engagement with the truths that he reveals. Like any other relationship, our faith communion with God develops in stages. It is a day by day process of growth, a journey, a pilgrimage. Our ultimate goal of a life of faith, eternal union with God in heaven.
"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
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