DAY TWO - TALK TWO : FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

Br. Benjamin Gonzaga

Faith and the Holy Spirit

WHY A YEAR OF FAITH?

Our first encounter with life in the Holy Spirit resulted in a love affair with Him but in time that first fervor died down. With the passage of time the light in our lives dimmed and eventually went out, this is why the Church in her wisdom has given us this Year of Faith.  It is the fervent desire of the Church to re-ignite the fire of our faith which we first received at the time of our baptism.

This however is not the first time that the Church has announced a Year of Faith.   In 1967, Pope Paul VI announced a Year of Faith commemorating the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. The 1967 Year of Faith called upon the Church to recall the supreme act of witness by these two saints so that their martyrdom might inspire the present day Church to collectively and individually make a sincere profession of faith. 

Now, once again under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father declared a Year of faith and published an Apostolic Letter entitled Porta Fidei on October 11, 2011, to announce the Year of Faith which commenced on 11th October 2012 and will end on 24th November 2013, the feast of Christ the King. The Holy Father saw a "need in the Church to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ."   We live in a world that is growing increasingly secular and the faith of Christians has become lukewarm. We are preoccupied with worldly affairs that keep us awake well into the night while we drift further and further away from our faith. 

Who is the Holy Spirit and what does the Catholic Church say about Him?

684 …….. the Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and to communicate to us the new life, which is to "know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ."

683 "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit."¹ "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!"'² This knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindles faith in us. By virtue of our Baptism, the first sacrament of the faith, the Holy Spirit in the Church communicates to us, intimately and personally, the life that originates in the Father and is offered to us in the Son.

We receive the Holy Spirit for the first time at our baptism along with the gift of faith.  The Father sends us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and to make us sons and daughters of God. He makes us heirs of the Kingdom of God and as Romans 8:15 says He enables us to cry "Abba! Father!" As children of God we can claim all the promises in the Bible since as 2COR 1:20 says, all God's promises are yes and amen to us who are His adopted children. 1PET 1:25 also assures us that  the Word of the Lord endures forever.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we receive a spirit of boldness and we are able to preach the Word of God without fear.  There are over 2000 promises that we can claim because we believe in Jesus. 

When the Holy Spirit comes to us with power, our faith is increased a hundred fold and we can claim every promise in the Bible.  In the Name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit we can perform wonders and signs just as Jesus has promised. Mark 16:17-18 Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed.”  When see signs and wonders take place our faith as well as the faith of those we minister too will increase.

In Acts 11:19-24 we find that because of the persecution of the early Christians and after the martyrdom of Stephen, the disciples scattered and went to different places, most of them confined their preaching of the Word to the Jews but some went to Cyprus and Cyrene and when they came to Antioch they spoke to the Hellenists, through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit the number of Christians there increased. Barnabas was chosen and sent to Antioch and speaking of him, the word of God tells us that he was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord. Can the same be said of us?  Can the witness of our faith increase the number of believers where we live. 

In Acts 6:1-7 we see that Apostles received complaints  that the widows of Hellenists were being neglected so it was agreed that they would choose seven respected men full of Spirit and wisdom to help them. One of the seven chosen was Stephen, and the Bible says that he was a man full of faith and Holy Spirit. 

Similarly, we too when we are filled with faith and the Holy Spirit will begin to preach the word of God boldly using the charisms given to us by the Holy Spirit and many will begin to believe.

James 5:14  If any­one is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

How does the Holy Spirit build up our faith?  He gives us tools or charisms which help us to increase and strengthen our faith. These charisms are mentioned in

1 COR 12:7-10 7 The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift that is also a service. 8 One is to speak with wisdom, through the Spirit. Another teaches according to the same Spirit. 9 To another is given faith, in which the Spirit acts; to another the gift of healing, and it is the same Spirit. 10 Another works miracles, another is a prophet, another recognizes what comes from the good or evil spirit; another speaks in tongues, and still another interprets what has been said in tongues.

The Gift of Faith is the basic gift we need to operate any charism it is only when we have this gift that we will be able to operate the other charisms. 

What is the difference  between the gifts we read in 1 Cor 12:7-10 and ordinary faith? 

There are certain doctrinal truths of the Church for which we require ordinary faith because we believe what the Church to be true. But the charismatic Gift of Faith goes beyond what is seen. It is the kind of faith mentioned in HEB 11:1  Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.

While it is true that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the common good we need to have the gift of faith before we can exercise the other charisms. As HEB 11:6 says, Yet without faith it is im­possible to please him: no one draws near to God without first believing that he exists and that he re­wards those who seek him earnestly.

Faith is not believing that God can but it is knowing that God will.  This is the kind of faith that the Holy Spirit gives us.

This Gift was manifested in God as we see in Heb 11:6 ff which tells us that it was through faith God created the world.  The Author of faith is God Himself and this faith was passed on to Jesus, who subsequently passed it on to the Apostles and disciples. We too have received this faith but are we using it to build the Church?  When we use our faith as Jesus did we can expect supernatural things to happen   Jesus assures us in John 13:14 that we will do greater things than He did because He goes to the Father.

 Faith can move mountains as Jesus said in Mark 11:23 Truly, I say to you, if you say to this mountain: ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ and have no doubt in your heart but believe  what you say it will be done for you.

While it is God who works the miracles we need to believe and act in faith.

When Jesus died the Apostles were frightened, they thought that the life they lived with Jesus had come to an end and many of them including Peter wanted to go fishing.  But they were transformed once they received the Holy Spirit. It was only when the Holy Spirit came upon them that they received a great faith and began to preach the Word of God boldly. Once we receive the gift of faith all shyness will disappear because we will receive a spirit of boldness and courage. 

  

Acts 2:1-4  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. And suddenly out of the sky came a sound like a strong rushing wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues as if of fire which parted and came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

When the people witnessed how the once timid Peter and the other Apostles were no longer afraid but spoke boldly working many signs and wonder as Acts 2:43 tells us, A holy fear came upon all the people, for many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Verse 47 reveals that every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

When we use the gift of faith as the Apostles did many will begin to believe and God will be glorified as we see in Acts 3:1-10  When Peter took the crippled beggar by the hand and commanded him to walk in the name of Jesus, his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up stood on his feet and began to walk.  When the people recognized the man who was leaping and praising God we are told that they were astonished and amazed.

In Acts 4:4 we see that by Peter's powerful preaching many of those who heard the Message believed and their number increased to about five thousand.

How does faith work in us? 

When we step out in faith like the Apostles did despite our circumstances we will see miracles happen. When we  put our faith into action signs and wonders are sure to follow. Just as we read in Acts 5:12-14 Many miraculous signs and wonders were done among the people through the hands of the apostles. Verse 13 & 14 tell us that the people held them in high esteem. So an ever increasing number of men and women, believed in the Lord.

Why did the numbers of believers increase? 

They increased because they saw signs and wonders. When we pray for faith in the Holy Spirit, Jesus intercedes on our behalf with the Father and He will gladly give us all that we ask for, especially the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  We ask God for everything else but faith in the Holy Spirit.  If we are filled with the Holy Spirit our whole life will be set right in every way.

Although Jesus invites us to ask for all we need, we must guard against becoming 'begging bowl Christians,' rather we should ask for the Holy Spirit and for faith. Signs and wonders are only possible when we have faith.

Jesus tells us in MAT 7:7 "Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened."

Faith puts our lives in order.  It is a gift so glorious it cannot be described and it is to be desired more earnestly than earthly treasures.

In 1 PET 1:3-9 tells us that faith is more precious than gold.  The inheritance that God desires for us is one that is incorruptible does not rust and will not pass away. The true test of faith is when we exercise it in times of adversity it is then that our faith is strengthened and becomes a powerful witness to those around us. We have not seen Jesus and yet we believe in Him and we hope in faith that we will share His glory when He comes again.

The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls.

We need to grow in faith and we must act in faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we do not exercise the faith we have been given, we will not receive any other gifts.  If we do not use the gift of faith which we received at baptism then God will not give us the other gifts. He will not waste His gifts on us if we do not use the ones we have already received. If we bury our talents will lose what was given to us.

James 2:26 tells us that faith without good works  is dead.  God does not desire us to have a dead faith but a faith that is alive. To make our faith truly alive we need to use it. 

Faith is walking on water like Jesus. MAT 14:22-33  Peter saw Jesus and wanted to walk on water as well.  He took a bold step in faith and at Jesus' invitation he walked on water as well.  But he was able to do so just as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, once he took his gaze away from Christ he began to sink.

• Faith is walking on water trusting in the mercy of God.  

• Faith is the decision to take God at His word and to live every aspect of our life in the strength of  the Holy Spirit. 

• Faith is going into the unknown trusting in the hand of God.  

As Christians we must not look at our circumstances no matter how hopeless they may seem but we must put our whole faith and trust in God knowing that our hope in Him will never disappoint.  Rather than looking to men for help we must put our faith in God's Word and in the power of His Holy Spirit as ZECH 4:6 reminds us,  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”

When we are steadfast in our faith God will honor us by giving us our heart's desires and the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in us. 

Our faith is strengthened when it is tested. 

Empowered with the Holy Spirit we must use the tools that He gives us.  The tools we use for evangelisation are the charisms of the Holy Spirit.When we operate our charisms we build the Kingdom of God.

Acts 1:8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth.”

The Apostles lived with Jesus and witnessed far more miracles than those that are recorded as St. John the evangelist tells us. They even witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus yet after Jesus died doubts entered their minds and they began to hesitate, but on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they experienced a renewed vigor in their faith. They performed miracles, they healed, there were deliverances from evil spirits , they raised people from the dead and they also made that final profession of faith which is martyrdom. 

We become mature Christians when we through the Holy Spirit we receive divine power which triggers a leap forward in faith. The Holy Spirit gives us the seed of faith in baptism and as we live our faith, act on it, nurture it and use it together with the charisms, then the seed will begin to flower and the flower will become fruit.  This is possible if we share our faith.  As we share our faith we will grow in faith. In difficult times our faith is tested and when we trust in God through the testing times our faith grows even stronger and our witness becomes even more powerful. As Mark 9:23 tells us, "All things are possible to those who believe."

Sharing our faith helps us to grow in faith.  We must share what God has done in our lives so others will be strengthened in their faith too and the faith of the whole community will grow as well.  If we want our community to grow we must share with each other the wonders God has done for us.

A Christian growing in faith is a prayerful person, he can step out in faith, who knows God and is humble enough to depend on Him all the time even in the most testing times in our our life we trust and believe in Him.  Psalm 23:4 Even if we walk in the valley of the shadow of death no evil will I fear.  

Jer 32:17  “Ah, Lord Yahweh, you have made the heavens and the earth with your great power and mighty deeds. Nothing is impossible to you! As persons of faith nothing is too difficult for us as well.