Novus Fides
Ah, the faith of our current age. So small. So shallow. So fragile. The poor faith of today seems to be focused like a laser beam on material well-being. With all of the new “healing” churches springing up, this new faith is as lucrative as it is deadly. It seems that throughout the last generations there has grown an erroneous belief that God wants us to be wealthy and healthy while we hold open doors for little old ladies as a sign of our belief in Christ. It is so nice and alluring that many people have succumbed to this “cookie-cutter” faith of the new age. This transition from the fierce, living faith of the past into a watered-down wishing well faith is, in my humble opinion, the work of the Deceiver.
I hear so often of people praying for relief from illness with such vigor that they never take the time to consider the value of suffering. God speaks to us in so many ways that we sometimes forget that suffering is a language. I’ll grant you that it is not always a pleasant language, but nonetheless God is trying to communicate with us. If we would stop our protests and just pray and listen then we might be able to hear the voice of God in the most troubling of times. Think about it: God came down to earth in human form, born into poverty, was ridiculed, tortured and put to death like a common criminal. Where do we get the idea that we should be immune from suffering?
Christ said, ” If one wishes to follow me, he must take up his cross daily”. As believers in Christ we have been forewarned that the road that lies ahead is not easy. We will have many trials and sufferings, but, if we truly desire to be changed by Christ, we can unite our sufferings with those of the Crucified. What better way is there to come to terms with the reality of suffering? The Lord, in His goodness, will accept our sufferings for the benefit of others. Why are most people ready to suffer and die for their family but are not willing to suffer for their Christian family?
So why am I offended by the “health and wealth” faith? Because it ignores the redemptive value of suffering. How could you look a man like Saint Maximilian Kolbe in the eye and complain about having to take your kids out of private school because of the economy? How could you look at poor Jesus on the cross and demand that your life be trouble free?
The Catholic Church is the only church that teaches the redemptive value of suffering. Do not abandon her. We must love the Lord and praise Him in good times and in bad because, as long as we walk in faith, He will give us what we need most to get home to Him. So let this Lent be a time of reflection and renewal of our faith. Real faith for the real world.
God Bless.
