By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
"Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
Paragraph 2725 of the Catholic Catechism states: Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle.
Jesus spent time in prayer to God the Father. The disciples asked how they could pray, so Jesus taught them, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Our Heavenly Father is perfect — not a suggestion but an understanding. The world is in a dire situation; there is much need for redemption. The salvation of souls is a labor of love, and our society needs men and women of God. Is there room to serve God in your life? If we reduce Christianity to moralism and politics, where one's own power rules instead of God, then Christianity is dead. When God is invisible to us, we begin to think we are superior.
Deism was an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. They believed in the existence of a creator God who does not intervene in the universe or the lives of people. They denied that a supernatural deity could interact with humankind. We cannot detach from God and make the world a better place.
It is not talent, but the obedience of ordinary people, the concentration of our moral actions, the Gospels and the sacraments that help us acknowledge our need for God. The Lenten season is a perfect time to focus our attention on sacrifice and redemption. Our desire for God helps us carry our crosses well. Trusting in God is the only way to survive the hostile environment of the counterculture, and the moral depravity we face today.
Every Friday in our homeschool religion class, my three grandsons write a letter to thank someone for their holy witness. This assignment helps them understand the function of their community and the purpose for good people in life. They have written to Catholic priests, state representatives, godparents, doctors, nurses, army veterans, firefighters and first responders. In each letter, we intentionally study the responsibilities of these individuals before thanking them for their service. We have more letters to write, and more to learn about sharing our faith in God with others.
This month in our history class we are studying the Holocaust. We are reading incredible stories about survivors of this atrocity. There is a common thread in the victory to defeat death at the hands of evil people. Unmistakably, it is the intervention of brave people aware of societal dysfunction, a strong family, faith in God, and the power of prayer that are key to fighting the battle of good and evil. In his final message, Pope Benedict XVI said, "Stand firm in the faith! Do not let yourselves be confused!"
There will always be a battle to win because the world is not a perfect place. Pray as you live, and live as you pray! Christ is counting on you to make a difference! If not you, then who? Strive to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect! Amen!