How to deal with the many challenges to our faith

Different factors can tempt us to lose faith.  Sometimes a dark spirit whispers in our ear that religion is useless, that faith is losing ground in our culture, or that what we hope for is a fantasy. Other times, in the midst of suffering, we might have an experience of God as indifferent or absent, and that sabotages our faith. The effects of original sin and our own personal sin are rampant in our lives and in our world, and these, too, could adversely affect faith. Today’s readings approach the difficulties we have in faith in three different ways: faith as service to God; patience in faith; and vigilance in faith.

Beginning with the Gospel from Luke 17:5-10, the apostles say to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” In response, Our Lord gives them an image of servants coming back to the house after their work in the field. Instead of having them sit and dine immediately, the master of the house has them finish their work in the proper order.

This might seem an odd response, or perhaps even harsh. To be in the service of God, however, is always a grace for us. Since it has elements that are routine, we can forget the gift that it is. To combat this ingratitude, cultivate a disposition of generosity: “I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). Faith and gratitude place us in relationship with the God who sanctifies us and redeems us.  We have to use faith to increase in faith. 

The first and second readings boldly name two major challenges to faith, and also how to overcome them. In the first reading from the prophet Habakkuk (1:2-3; 2:2-4), the prophet is experiencing God’s seeming absence. He is in grave distress and calling out to God, but gets no answer. God does answer, however, with a vision, but then adds the more important element. God says to Habakkuk, “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.” In other words, before we or the prophet can object about God’s tardiness or how His timing really does not work for us, God calms us by reassuring us that, in His time, all is well. The work for us, then, is to accommodate ourselves to God’s schedule and His plan. Things do not always happen at the time we would like; perhaps there is a reason behind a delay. Faith helps us to penetrate those reasons, or at least to accept the delay without second-guessing God’s fidelity or friendship. 

Saint Paul deals with another challenge to faith, one with which many of us are familiar: discouragement. In this second letter to Timothy (1:6-8; 13-14), Saint Paul urges Timothy not to give up on his vocation. He writes, “Stir into flame the gift of God that you have received ... God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” What Timothy needs is already in him through the gift of God, but he has to reignite the gift which has been dampened by dashed expectations and discouraging results. 

Who of us cannot relate to this? Whether in the context of our vocations, a failed work endeavor, a bad start to university, who has not wondered: “What is happening? I didn’t sign up for this! Shouldn’t God be doing more to help me?” Saint Paul responds with an exhortation to vigilance in faith. Don’t be afraid of failure; but be vigilant: “Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.” God is faithful, and we do not keep watch alone. The Holy Spirit keeps watch over us and with us, but faith is the path by which we cooperate.