Pope Francis’s first Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith) is divided into four chapters, following the introduction. This is a brief and initial summary of my first reading of the encyclical.

The Introduction (1-7) begins with an understanding that the light of faith, is the gift of the Word – Christ who says in the Gospel of John, “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” In our experience we know that even the deepest aspects of reality cannot be enlightened by the natural sun, because it cannot reach the darkest of places of our human existence. Our Christian faith opens for us an eternal horizon, in which the light of Christ enlightens every aspect of our life journey, even beyond the darkness of death. The Christian faith is a light for all – having the power to illuminate all of human existence. Therefore it is only when God is restored as the primary reference of our lives and Christ becomes the center of our lives that we will continue to journey with the light of faith as our guide. It is this powerful light that illuminates us toward our ultimate destiny – a loving God. Chapter One (8-22) recalls the call of Abraham to journey in faith to an unknown land and future, entrusting himself and his family to the word of God. Abraham learns that his life is not mere chance, but a personal call from a loving and mysterious God who is the source of all. But we know that the children of Abraham did not always follow this ultimate love, but rather set up limited expressions of love (idols), trying to possess and hold on to this love. These limited expressions required no risk, nor did it require anyone to give up the security that we seek in our own creations. This ultimate love of God is most fully revealed and finds expression in the person of Jesus. It is in the encounter with Jesus that we see and hear the Word of God, the deepest meaning of all reality, expressed in self–giving love. Jesus teaches us in his life, death and resurrection that this love has no limits, finding expression in the community – the Body of Christ - in which we encounter a new way of journeying in this world. Chapter Two, (23-37) tells us that this new way of seeing, illuminated by the love of Christ, is able to transform our lives and those others. Our faith finds its foundation in the truth which provides a sure footing as we travel. We are called to remember our divine calling, transcending the limited expressions of love and opening ourselves to the truth of a love that frees us to encounter our God and others, transforming our lives and all human existence. It is our faith the expands the horizon of reason enabling us to seek the God revealed in Jesus; a faith in a loving God that is not only reasonable, but a God who is the ultimate destiny of our lives.

Chapter Three (38-49) Faith is found in the heart and depth of the believer. Its greatest expression is in communion with others, coming together in one heart – the heart of the Church. It is in this community of disciples that the light of faith finds expression in the memory of the Church. It is in the sacramental expression of the Church and the Creed that we re- member (come together as God’s people) and are invited and transformed into a greater communion with the mystery of God’s love, while still journeying toward ultimate communion with God. Chapter Four (50-57) The fourth chapter expresses the idea that faith is not only a journey but also a process of building a home for all people. This home, our earth, is a place where all people are able to live in solidarity, experiencing the transcendent horizon of justice, love and peace. This horizon calls us beyond the illusions of a fragmented world toward a future that is illuminated by faith, propelled by and served by a love that is often tested by suffering and weakness - a weakness and suffering that is overcome by the ultimate power of God’s love. LGaetano