By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
We belong to God. We are made in his image, and through our baptism we are members of one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church, instituted for us by his son, Jesus Christ. God’s creation story is our salvation inheritance.
Scripture tells us that “with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” 2 Peter 3:8. Time and space are conceptualized in our world, but God is not restricted by hours, days and years. Before the foundation of the world was formed, God prepared a plan for our protection. In the Book of Job, it describes angels worshipping God. “While the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). The duty of the ministering spirits was to serve those who will inherit salvation.
A retired theology professor, Paul Thigpen, Ph. D., wrote: “Christians long ago concluded that each individual human being has his or her own guardian angel. Though the Church has never defined the teaching, the Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up this matter by quoting St. Basil: ‘From infancy to death human life is surrounded by the angels’ watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ In this light, we can turn to our guardian angel for help in spiritual warfare, especially to resist the temptations of the Enemy. Yet angels are more than guardians; they are also warriors.”
Our faith is enhanced when we seek truth together. As a catechist and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in nursing facilities, I have been blessed by conversations with people of all ages. There is one question that always comes up regarding our salvation. “Why did God allow Jesus to suffer so severely?” The realities of the Passion of Christ are emotionally daunting, for children and adults.
The Old and New Testament outline God’s covenants with his people. And from the First Sunday of Advent to the Feast of Christ the King, the liturgical calendar of the Church begins and ends with an opportunity to journey through each day of life fully aware of God’s love for us.
The Christmas and Easter stories unite with divine purpose. God’s love is revealed in the birth of his son, who was crucified for the sins of the world. We continue to offend God in unimaginable ways, yet he still loves us. Instead of asking why God allowed Jesus to suffer, we should be concerned about why we inflict pain on God the father. Should we ask God why he wanted to share in our human experiences of abandonment, loneliness, pain or suffering? Questioning God is not a sin, but we must take our doubts and fears to him in prayer. God is all-knowing and sees things we do not.
Learned men from the East followed a miraculous star to Bethlehem, and their encounter with a newborn baby brought them to their knees. The mystery of God’s call is an important part of Christian life. We should fall on our knees every time we enter his sanctuary because to be faithful and obedient is the secret to holiness. Our story is beautiful, please share it with love. Amen!
Zoe Cannon lives in Morgantown, Indiana, and is a member of Sts. Francis and Clare Parish in Greenwood, Indiana.