The main idea of this section is "What is Faith." Faith is a grace, a risk, is reasonable, is certain, seeks understanding, is a virtue, and requires a free human response. We learned both the secular definition of faith and the Catholic definition of faith. The secular defintion of faith is a trust and belief in and a loyalty to God and is a calculated risk. The Catholic definition of faith is an intellectual assent to a loving God and His Revelation. Both of these definitions can be looked at thoroughly and used to examine what we truly have faith/Faith in. I think that everyone has their own, unique model of what they think faith is and what they truly have faith in. We reviewed the four characteristics of biblical faith: a loving trust, not totally intellectual, periods of doubt and darkness, real risk is involved, and is a lifelong process. Being aware of these four characteristics and applying them to our own struggles with faith can ultimately come to know our faith better.

Two Things I Want to Remember:

My favorite example of faith was watching the Andy Griffith Show on Mr. McBeevee. Watching this episode put faith in a whole different perspective for me and really increased my understanding of what faith truly is. Even though Andy found it really hard to believe in his son, Opie, that there really was a Mr. McBeevee, he ultimately came to trust in him because he was his son. My favorite quote in the episode came from Andy and really made me think about my own faith: "I guess it's a time like this when you're asked to believe something that just don't seem possible... that's the moment that decides whether you got faith in somebody or not." I think this quote is basically saying that it is easy to say you have faith in something when you know it is true, but the true test of faith comes when you are questioned on something you are unsure of and don't have the answer to.


The thing that touched and moved me most during my study of faith was the article on the "Strongest Dad in the World" by Rick Reilly. The article is about Dick Hoyt who pushes his disabled son, Rick, in marathons, cross-country skiing, back mountain climbing, and even hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. As we were watching the short video clip on Dick Hoyt and his son, I gazed across the room and realized how everyone's eyes were glued to the screen. At that moment, I think everyone was truly touched by the love that Mr. Hoyt shows toward his son. In today's society, most of the people that we look up to are big time athletes or movie stars, but after watching that video clip, I can truly say that Dick Hoyt is one of my heroes whom I look up to. I think the quote by Hoyt's son Rick pretty much sums up the whole article, "Dad, when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!" The determination and heart that Dick exemplifies toward his son gives us all something to strive for and look up to. Please take the time to watch this video clip on Dick and his son. It's truly remarkable.

A Question to Think About:

Am I truly a person of faith/Faith and how will I ever be sure if I am or not? I think that it is difficult to say whether or not you are a person of faith because most of us have never had a heart-rendering experience like Jesus' disciples where are faith is questioned in such a dramatic way. I like to think of myself as a person of faith/Faith but when compared to Dick Hoyt and other characters of faith I am no contest. I think the best way to come to know whether I am a person of faith/Faith or not is to have different faith experiences and grow from my decisions involved in each experience.

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