Faith
17-24

Why did Jesus use agricultural images like the mustard seed, the vine, tenant farmers in order to talk about the Kingdom of God instead of using construction images? A construction worker only gets out of his work what he or she puts into it. The farmer gets so much more because he or she has to rely on God. A farmer can plant the seed but God is the one that makes it grow.

God desires to be with You so much that He did the unthinkable and became one of us.
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

God desires to be with You so much that He did the unimaginable and died for you.
For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:5-8)

God desires to be with You so much that He did the inconceivable and rose from the grave for you.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. (ACTS 2:23-24)

God desires to be with You so much that He does the implausible and offers you the gift of eternal life.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where [I] am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:1-6

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Fr. Meconi S.J from Saint Louis University (SLU) gave a parish mission at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in South St. Louis in October of 2015. He named the following seven points as ways to evaluate our growth in faith.

A very learned man who had heard of the rabbi of Berditchev—one of those who boasted of being enlightened—looked him up in order to debate with him as he was in the habit of doing with others, and refuting his old-fashioned proofs for the truth of his faith. When he entered the zaddik’s room, he saw him walking up and down, immersed in ecstatic thought. The rabbi took no notice of his visitor. After a time, however, he stooped gave him a brief glances and said: “But perhaps it is true after all!”

In vain did the learned man try to rally his self-confidence. His knees shook, for the zaddik was terrible to behold and his simple words were terrible to hear. But now the Rabbi Levi Yitzhak turned to him and calmly addressed him: “My son, the great Torah scholars with whom you have debated, wasted their words on you. When you left them you only laughed at what they said. They cold not set God and his kingdom on the table before you, and I cannot do this either. But, my son, only think! Perhaps it is true. Perhaps it is true after all!” The enlighten man made the utmost effort to reply, but the terrible “perhaps” beat on his ears again and again and broke down his résistance.

Kurtz, Ernest & Katherine Ketcham: The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning (New York: Bantam Books Doubleday, 2002)

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The following story about G.K Chesterton, a famous Catholic Author, helps demonstate an important part of the Catholic Faith:

G.K. Chesterton (a famous Catholic writer) and several other literary figures were once asked what book they would prefer to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island.

"The complete works of Shakespeare," said one writer without hesitation.

"I choose the Bible," said another.

"How about you?" they asked Chesterton.

"I would choose Thomas' Guide to Practical Shipbuilding," replied Chesterton.

*One of the great things about the Catholic faith is that Catholics are also very practical and live in the real world.

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