Wednesday, 19 June, 2002

The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them



FAITH (Part 2)

The desert monastics became extremely sensitive to what would help or hinder their faith. The fifth-century nun Amma Syncletica, for example, warns that faith dies when the monk or nun goes from one place to another - she compares this to a hen abandoning her eggs. Faith, then, is fragile, something that needs tending. These early monastics seem far more charitable than many contemporary Christians when it comes to giving each other the benefit of the doubt; they do not questions another monk's faith. And only rarely do they trouble to define it - when asked, Abba Poeman spoke of it not as a modern person might, as an intellectual stance, but in terms of inner attitude and outward service: "Faith is to live humbly and give alms."

It seems odd that we would even begin to "questions or judge someone's faith." Even if we were to judge it to be "little" that is enough. The disciples who walked with Jesus were described as having little faith...even NO faith...and yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the body called the Church emerges from the faith measured up for them. It is enough. The question that must come to each of us may not be how can we have more faith, but how can we nurture and feed the faith we have. I know that when I took on these weekday devotions, it was at a time when I needed to be sustained...I needed a discipline that would help to patch up and repair and feed my faith. A little faith is a grand and glorious gift in the middle of a world like ours. Don't we even say it can "move mountains!" It is most important to note that Norris' friend was able to make the very important connection between inner attitude and outward service. For even among those of "little faith" the impact on self and others is a blessing to all.



Connection: Be as faithful as you are...but be faithful. The world begins to look completely different as we are able to see ourselves and others through faithful eyes. As that happens, remember we begin to our God in all things...that is a great gift of faith.



Lord God you fulfill your promises and we are empowered for the living of these days trusting in your faithfulness. Praise be to you as we faithfully walk into this day with the confidence that you walk with us. Amen.

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