The life of faith, by which we walk

The reading for this talk is Matthew chapter 14 vv 22-33 

So what is the life of faith, by which we walk?

Tagore - faith is that bird which feels the light while the dawn is still dark.

Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. 

Faith for those who have undertaken religious life is a radical decision - the boats are burnt!  

A strong faith is not without difficulty or doubt, it is a journey. Ask for deeper faith - as it deepens, the invisible world becomes sharper, the glimpses and twitches of the veil that let us know that God is present. 

Pope Benedict said "the door of faith is always open to us".

Pope Francis also spoke of faith as a doorway "When we go through the doorway of faith we begin a journey that will last a lifetime, ending in the encounter of the person of Jesus Christ"   Pope Francis also said "in God's gift of faith we realise that a great light has been offered to us, a good word spoken to us." 

We have the image then of faith as a light, leading us along the way on wings of hope. 

Paul Murray speaks of knowing God from your own experience - the witness of a changed life. Saying to your own doubting heart and your five agnostic senses "I know him"

In times of trouble you must think of "inhabiting the promises" 

Come to me and I will give you rest. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in Me

I will be with you till the end of time. 

Make a quiet time, choose a promise and breathe it in. 

And what is the life of prayer? Described with some humour as "a crumpled Amen?" "A threshold of boredom?" "Trying to be in the presence of God with ones people on one's heart."

Two readings to meditate on.

Thomas Aquinas - "O Godhead here in hiding" 

Revelation 3 20-22