Faith and Hope Two Theological Virtues

Bernini – The Ecstasy of St. Teresa (from: artble.com) 1) As personal adherence to God (CCC 150). The word “obedience” is also used (Mary and are given as models) In simple terms: a “yes” (Mary’s How does the fiat) - compare to CCC define friendship/marriage faith?  “to think with assent” (act of intellect and will, Summa 2.2.1) This is the primary way in which faith is described Thus it is a virtue! 2) As a grace (CCC 153) and as a free human act (CCC 154) “In faith, the human intellect and will co-operate with divine grace” (CCC 155). How does the Examples: Sts. Peter and Paul CCC define faith? Flannery O’Connor “[Faith] is a gift, but for very few it is a gift given without any demand for equal time devoted to its cultivation.” (like a houseplant!) 3) It is certain (CCC 157) What?! Heb. 11:1 (“faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see”) Remember: It is another order of How does the knowledge CCC define faith? [con’t] 4) It seeks understanding (CCC 158) 5) It is the beginning of eternal life (CCC 163) Not a “ticket” into heaven but in a sense a foretaste of it As a feeling, emotion or consolation As agreement to a number of propositions (CCC 170); although it does involve giving yourself to How does the Truth (CCC 144) CCC not define faith? As an act which must be done in total isolation to be authentic (it is an ecclesial act CCC 168-169; 181) What you have instead of knowledge (blind faith) 1) Personal adherence 2) Grace and free human act Review: 5 items on faith 3) Certain 4) Seeking understanding 5) Beginning of eternal life A test case of faith: Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa faced years of spiritual darkness “Now Father – since 49 or 50 this terrible sense of loss – this untold darkness – this loneliness – this continual longing for God – which gives me that pain deep down in my heart – Darkness is such that I really do not see – neither with my mind nor with my reason. – The place of God in my soul is blank. – There is no God in me – When the pain of longing is so great – I just long and long for God – and then it is that I feel – He does not want me – He is not there – Heaven- Photo: catholic.org souls why these are just words – which mean nothing to me.” Come Be My Light p. 210 A test case of faith: Mother Teresa

And yet … when asked if she had any doubts (like Christ in Gethsemane), she answered:

“No. There was no doubt. It was only for a moment he felt unsure. That was a human being. That was natural. The moment you accept, the moment you surrender yourself, that’s the conviction. But it may mean death you, eh? The conviction comes the moment you surrender yourself. Then there is no Photo: catholic.org doubt.” Come Be My Light p. 259 A test case of faith: Mother Teresa

So does she have faith? Yes, because she has: 1) Obedience/adherence 2) Graces and free human acts (e.g. the Eucharist) 3) Certainty (never any doubt, she says) 4) Seeking understanding 5) The beginning of eternal life (the poor) Even in the absence of: 1) Consolation Photo: catholic.org 2) Certainty in particular propositions (e.g. heaven) 3) Personal satisfaction A practical guide for faith: Flannery O’Connor

Not “work hard for faith” but practical advice for someone “losing” faith. 1) The experience of “losing faith” can belong to faith, because faith grows, seeks, asks; quoting from Mark (9:24) 2) If you can, let your faith make you a skeptic. Don’t settle on what does not

seem wholly fulfilling. Photo: NPR 3) Do not let your faith rest on a feeling 4) Intellectual challenges must be met, but God is known through charity What is Hope?

If faith is understood as a kind of “yes” a trust, hope is a kind of longing. Hope builds on faith. builds on hope.

CCC 1814: “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us.”

CCC 1817: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” Saying yes to God means we can persevere in that “yes” due to hope. Extending the marriage or friendship analogy (waiting for your wedding day). Hence it is a virtue, and why we can say despair is a sin! Despair is not feeling discouraged, but to stop acting in anticipation of the kingdom. Because she had such strong faith, she had such a strong longing for God Mother Utter detachment from Teresa and worldly sources of Hope happiness Continued to act in a way that she might gain heaven, for herself and others