principle of faith

Romans 3:21-30; Psalm 130 with the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption; Lk 11:47-54

St. Paul tells us today that it is by the principle of faith that we are justified.

What is faith?

Faith is an adhesion to truth revealed by God where the intellect and the will work in cooperation in seeking the truth and adhering to the truth when it is found.

St. Paul simply reminds us today that it isn't us who find the truth but the truth who comes to seek us in Jesus. 

St. Thomas tells us that when it comes to faith, "the thing known is in the knower according to the mode of the knower."  When one knows anything that which is known is in the knower himself. 

Faith in Jesus then suggest that in order to know Jesus Jesus must be in us, "the thing known is in the knower according to the mode of the knower."

The deeper we grow in faith the more Jesus is seen in us. 

St. Teresa of Avila understood this is a very deep way.

She understood that it was not enough to believe in a God, it was not even enough to believe God, one must believe in God that is allow God to dwell within them. 

It was in this deep communion with God she was able to deeply love those around her.

St. Teresa was known for saying the following everyday.  This pray speaks volumes of her faith, "the thing known is in the knower according to the mode of the knower."

Christ has no body now but yours!

No hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on the world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands.

Yours are the feet.

Yours are the eyes. 

You are his body.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours!

When it comes to faith, "the thing known is in the knower according to the mode of the knower."

To have faith in Christ is to know him and to make him known.