Tuesday, June 10, 2003

The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.



Faith is not the same as belief, not the same as the attitude of regarding something as true. When the people of Israel worshiped a golden calf, forty days after Sinai, their belief in the event was surely present. Faith is an act of the whole person, of mind, will, and heart. Faith is sensitivity, understanding, engagement, and attachment; not something achieved once and for all, but an attitude one may gain and lose.



This may seem like a small distinction….but it is a great one. We all use these words (belief & faith) in many ways. It appears that the point being made here about faith is that it demands everything – our whole being. There are no facts that are listed and then we make a decision that these facts are indeed true. Facts can be discarded for what ever is to come along next. The event of Sinai bit the dust once the golden calf was made. We could say it took the next generation of wilderness wandering to help the people of Israel…give their whole lives to this God who rescues and sustains. The community of faith is much needed because within that community, we continue to bath ourselves in the wonder and awe – the presence of God that is available and for us. Alone, it is so easy to simply believe what we see and the data of the day given to us. We gather as people of faith to make sure the sensitivity and vision and power of God’s reign stays fresh among us even in the face of whatever pulls at us.



Connection: Our God has given us vision to see God’s never ending claim on us. It is always important for us to affirm that claim everyday. Like exercising, it shapes our whole life.



Lord lead us and hold us and shake us up so that we may continue to focus on the ways of your Reign even as we walk through the parts of our day when we would often choose to follow and trust other things around. Amen.