in which lies our faith

Today in A Year with the Church Fathers, we hear from St Cyril of Jerusalem. He tells us that everyone has faith of some kind. Farmers have faith that their crops will eventually come to harvest. Sailors have faith that their vessel will get them safely home.

And when you think about it, it's true. Everyone has faith. Some people have faith in their family, to be there for them when things are hard. Some have faith in science. To overcome the problems that humanity faces and find solutions. Some have faith in their nation - to do good in the world and take care of those less fortunate. As you can see, there's nothing wrong with having faith in other things besides God.

But where does our ultimate faith rest? I think the way we can find out is by who we trust when there is a contradiction. If faith in God tells us that death has been conquered by Jesus, and we can therefore go to heaven when we die... but science tells us that death is the end, and there is nothing after that... who do we believe? How do we therefore live?

Or, if our family says "Play it safe. Don't help those who can't help you back. Look out for number one. Don't stick your neck out for anyone." Do we listen to them? Do we put our faith in their advice? Or do we instead listen to our Lord, who says to give until it hurts. To take up our cross daily and follow Him. To love Him first, so much so that our feelings for our family will seem like hate?

If you find yourself struggling with any of these questions, don't despair. He wants you to put your greatest faith in Him... not because He's just demanding that way, but because He is the only one worthy of our deepest faith. He is the only one we can trust entirely, who will actually never let us down. He alone is the one we can trust with all of our other faiths... in family, country, science, money, etc... we can trust Him with our other trusts. When we put Him first, all of the others are added. But when we put one of them first, we lose it all.

Just ask. He'll teach you how. He really wants to.

God, thank You for being worthy of our deepest faith.