Without faith...

"Without faith all will be feeble, revolutionary, passing, violent". (Oscar Romero)

I am reading a book about Oscar Romero, and I am struck by his ability to extend God's grace to those who want to kill him. He speaks of being "inspired by love", that is, a divine inspiration that allows us to do miraculous things. I think we absolutely need this to be able to forgive as he was able to. I believe he must have been a man of great faith in the salvific power of Christ.

What is faith? Faith is knowing without seeing.

Without faith we are the fig tree that withers because it is not able to produce fruit. Without faith we are unable to see past the misgivings of others and allow God's love to penetrate us. Without faith we are unable to believe in the goodness of others that allows for God's Kingdom Community that we were designed to live in. Without faith we are unable to be inspired by love.

The worst thing is that our lack of faith denounces the Kingdom of God as Jesus came on earth for. The upside-down and backward way of life that Jesus promotes ("the first will be last and the last will be first") is ruined by our lack of faith. Without faith we regress to games of power and wealth which builds up oppression and prevents ourselves and others from experiencing God's fullness. The worst of our lack of faith leads to violence and crime.

Do I have faith that God's way is the right way? Do I have faith in God, that when I lose my life I will really gain it? Do I have faith enough to see the possibilities of grace for so many hurting, hurtful people? Do I "see"?

God I believe. Help me in my unbelief!