Sermon preached by Prof. Dr. Julio de Santa Ana in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, 22 June 2009
Texts: Hebrews 12, 1-4; John 6, 16-21; Matthew 14: 22-33
There is a trend among Christian believers that makes us think about faith without recognizing most of the time the relationship that exists between faith and some aspects of reality. These aspects are different from what makes us believe. However, we need to be be aware that they are somewhat close to faith.
Generally we think about faith as a theological virtue, as the driving force of our Christian existence. We think of faith as God-given reality, necessary for the existence of Christian communities. Therefore, faith is a fundamental component of what makes us believers. However, generally we do not consider some aspects which are in tension with faith, and which may weaken it in many cases.
I must say that during the last years I have become aware of the tense relationships that I am talking about. Some situations experienced by Christian communities in Latin America brought me to read the Bible while trying to be attentive to ways which help clarify why their faith, in different circumstances, was endangered, threatened, challenged. I want to share now, with this community at the Ecumenical Centre, some of the lessons learned by groups of Christians and few reflections that have grown up in my mind. I need to say that, although the motivation was something which happened in Latin America, it is something that may also take place in other contexts.
One of the aspects that strikes me is the relationship that appears between faith and fear in some narratives of the New Testament. We often say that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. We claim that faith is the rock where Christian life is anchored. Therefore, there are frequent cases of Christian communities repeating these words. It is a traditional affirmation. Nevertheless, it happens that there are many Christian groups who, at the same time as they repeat these words are actually giving up their faith. For example, it is happening to many Christians who, while saying loudly that they want to be followers of Jesus are not ready to give account of their faith.
Unfortunately, what frightens them, what makes them to be fearful, has more power than their faith. I do not want to make a negative observation. Rather, it makes me consider some narratives of the Gospels where stories are told of Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Gennesaret. In the text of the Gospel of Matthew that I read, it says that, when the disciples saw him walking over the sea, “they were terrified”. Jesus told them: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. After the answer, Peter questioned Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come on the water”. Jesus did so; Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on the sea. But, after a moment, Peter was frightened again and began to sink; he cried: “Lord, save me!” Jesus helped him and said: “You of little faith; why did you doubt?”
Generally we think about faith as a theological virtue, as the driving force of our Christian existence. We think of faith as God-given reality, necessary for the existence of Christian communities. Therefore, faith is a fundamental component of what makes us believers. However, generally we do not consider some aspects which are in tension with faith, and which may weaken it in many cases.
I must say that during the last years I have become aware of the tense relationships that I am talking about. Some situations experienced by Christian communities in Latin America brought me to read the Bible while trying to be attentive to ways which help clarify why their faith, in different circumstances, was endangered, threatened, challenged. I want to share now, with this community at the Ecumenical Centre, some of the lessons learned by groups of Christians and few reflections that have grown up in my mind. I need to say that, although the motivation was something which happened in Latin America, it is something that may also take place in other contexts.
One of the aspects that strikes me is the relationship that appears between faith and fear in some narratives of the New Testament. We often say that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. We claim that faith is the rock where Christian life is anchored. Therefore, there are frequent cases of Christian communities repeating these words. It is a traditional affirmation. Nevertheless, it happens that there are many Christian groups who, at the same time as they repeat these words are actually giving up their faith. For example, it is happening to many Christians who, while saying loudly that they want to be followers of Jesus are not ready to give account of their faith.
Unfortunately, what frightens them, what makes them to be fearful, has more power than their faith. I do not want to make a negative observation. Rather, it makes me consider some narratives of the Gospels where stories are told of Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Gennesaret. In the text of the Gospel of Matthew that I read, it says that, when the disciples saw him walking over the sea, “they were terrified”. Jesus told them: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. After the answer, Peter questioned Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come on the water”. Jesus did so; Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on the sea. But, after a moment, Peter was frightened again and began to sink; he cried: “Lord, save me!” Jesus helped him and said: “You of little faith; why did you doubt?”
This narrative reminds me that often we are like Peter and the other disciples: we say that we have faith. But facing the challenges that we experience, we are afraid. Our faith becomes smaller, irrelevant: we are like the disciples, persons of “little faith”.
This is a narrative of the Gospels (it can be read in the story told by Matthew, Mark and John) that helps to understand the situation of many communities of faith in our own time. Faith is linked with fear. The tension between both cannot be denied nor neglected. Trying to understand these texts, we can say that the opposite of faith is fear, rather than agnosticism. Faith is something that transcends knowledge; it looks to be an existential bet, a wager where we apply all of ourselves. Juan Luis Segundo, who was a theologian from Uruguay (like me), used to say that faith is the gate which opens the way to hope. I share the distinction that he used to make between theological faith and anthropological faith; they are different indeed, but both types of faith require the overcoming of fear.
This is a narrative of the Gospels (it can be read in the story told by Matthew, Mark and John) that helps to understand the situation of many communities of faith in our own time. Faith is linked with fear. The tension between both cannot be denied nor neglected. Trying to understand these texts, we can say that the opposite of faith is fear, rather than agnosticism. Faith is something that transcends knowledge; it looks to be an existential bet, a wager where we apply all of ourselves. Juan Luis Segundo, who was a theologian from Uruguay (like me), used to say that faith is the gate which opens the way to hope. I share the distinction that he used to make between theological faith and anthropological faith; they are different indeed, but both types of faith require the overcoming of fear.
It seems that it should be easy, natural, to do it. But it is not so. Like Peter, when he was walking over the sea, we are very often more attentive to the signs of the storm around us than to the words of Jesus. In cases of this kind we can be called “people of little faith”.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews we find the text of chapter 11, where there is a long list of men and women who were firm in their behaviour, keeping their faith: even before Abraham such persons bore witness to their faith. They persevered and were stubborn, steadfast in their attitude of faith.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews we find the text of chapter 11, where there is a long list of men and women who were firm in their behaviour, keeping their faith: even before Abraham such persons bore witness to their faith. They persevered and were stubborn, steadfast in their attitude of faith.
After remembering some of those who preserve their faith, we are challenged to be like these people. We are called to run with perseverance the race which is before us. The most important condition is that we have to do it looking to Jesus: he has been, continues to be and will be the one who has manifested that kind of faith that overcomes fear and death. Such affirmation is made in chapter 13 of the Epistle to the Hebrews: “The Messiah Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8).
We are called to give witness to our faith in situations that are not favourable. Sometimes our faith is at stake because the storms of life threaten our existence and the winds that rock the boat seem to turn our small ship; other times we may have the impression that powerful institutions want to impose their logic and their traditions, and that we cannot face them. There may be moments also where we become aware of how small and petty we are as we consider the power of those who want to bend us. In situations like these we may be tempted to leave aside our faith becoming afraid. Then, we may be called: “You, of little faith”.
How to be faithful to Jesus, the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” (as the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews called him)? The text of the Epistle of Hebrews give us a clear orientation to fulfil this objective, which I think is coherent with the one that we find in the narratives of the gospels, where the disciples are called to keep faith and do not give up.
Let us pray;
Beloved God and Father of all:
We thank you for the gift of faith. Help us to live it with courage, facing the difficulties that are unavoidable to the situations we have to experience. We ask you, our God, that the balsam of your grace be especially with those who feel that their faith is threatened. Give them that spiritual force that confirms their faith.
We are called to give witness to our faith in situations that are not favourable. Sometimes our faith is at stake because the storms of life threaten our existence and the winds that rock the boat seem to turn our small ship; other times we may have the impression that powerful institutions want to impose their logic and their traditions, and that we cannot face them. There may be moments also where we become aware of how small and petty we are as we consider the power of those who want to bend us. In situations like these we may be tempted to leave aside our faith becoming afraid. Then, we may be called: “You, of little faith”.
How to be faithful to Jesus, the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” (as the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews called him)? The text of the Epistle of Hebrews give us a clear orientation to fulfil this objective, which I think is coherent with the one that we find in the narratives of the gospels, where the disciples are called to keep faith and do not give up.
Let us pray;
Beloved God and Father of all:
We thank you for the gift of faith. Help us to live it with courage, facing the difficulties that are unavoidable to the situations we have to experience. We ask you, our God, that the balsam of your grace be especially with those who feel that their faith is threatened. Give them that spiritual force that confirms their faith.
In the name of Jesus,
AMEN.
Copyright (c) Julio de Santa Ana
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