21. Faith and   210  Hope                      

Faith means: 1) the act of which, in conversion, obtains for us the holiness or justice proper to a Christian (see 165; 2) the gift of faith which achieves miracles: 1 Cor 13:2; James 1:5; Mk 11:20-24 and their commentaries; 3) the first of the theological virtues (see 205 and 211 born of the first act of faith.

211

Christian faith is submission to the word of God (Jn 12:44-46; Rom 10:14; 2 Tim 3:15; 4:3 as received from the prophets and Christ through the witness of the apostles (see 163). It accepts without adding or deleting (Dt 4:2; Rev 22:18) the entire faith (Tim 1:13; 3:10-11) preserved by the Church as the Tradition of the Apostles: 1 Tim 4:6; 2:8; 3:14.

212

A Christian has the same faith attitude as the Old Testament believers (Rom 4:23-25; Heb 11). Now, however, the final words have come to us (Heb 1:1-2; Jn 3:31; 4:26) through the person who is the Word of God (Jn 1:18; Heb 2:2-3). See 152. In the person of Jesus, God talk to us without parables or examples (Jn 16:25-29).

213

Faith works through love ( Gal 5:6) and it manifests itself in works of love (James 2:14; 1 Cor 13:13). Faith must grow (2 Cor 10:15; 2 P 3:18) along with the knowledge of God. With love, faith is the attitude of someone who lives in the light (Rom 13:12; Eph 5:8 Col 1:12; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:9) and is light for the world (1 Thes 5:5).

214

Hope is born of faith in God’s promises (Eph 3:5-10; Heb 3:14; 6:11-20; 1 P 5:9) We hope for what we do not see (Rom 8:24; Heb 11:1) and would not have not dared imagine (1 Cor 2:9 2 P 1:4). We believe that God is faithful (see 40-44). We have confidence in God who can sustain us in faith and love (Phil 2:12; 1 Thes 5:23; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 Cor 1:8). Hope means perseverance and constancy in our trials (see 204, 217).

215

Israel hoped that God would give prosperity in their Land (see 42) and a Kingdom of Justice (see 56, 62. In proclaiming the Kingdom, Jesus reminds us that our hope is somewhat collective (Mt 22; Lk 22:28-30; Mt 25:31-40), but He also emphasizes the personal dimension of salvation (Mt 10:28-32), as faith in the resurrection develops (see 92-93.

We hope to share God’s glory. We will be like God because we will see Him (1 Jn 3:2). We will rise together (1 Cor 15:23) to see God (1 Cor 13:12) and form a single body in Christ (Eph 2:16-22). Only in God will we find happiness (Mt 25:21; Rev 21:6), and humanity, its end (1 Cor 15:28; Rev 22:1-5). Such is our inheritance (Lk 18:18; 1 P 1:4).

216

The Kingdom of God is already present in people who live in God’s grace. Thus all the events in their lives, even their material needs, are related to this Kingdom of God, and to their own progress in Christian life. Being Children of God, they expect daily bread from the Father (Mt 6:11) and they ask for their own need (Phi 4:6) and for the needs of the world (Lk 18:1), knowing that God will provide them with what is necessary so that, in turn, they may give to others (2 Cor 9:9).

217

Wanting for the coming of Christ is at the very center of Christian hope (Acts 1:11). Coming, called “parousia” which means, visit (Mt 24:27; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thes 3:13; 1 Jn 2:28; Rev 3:10) or manifestation (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 1:10; Tit 2:13). This coming seemed very familiar to the early Christians (1 Thes 4:13; Heb 10:25-27; 1 P 4:7; James 5:8).

This waiting means vigilant attitude (Lk 12:35-48; Mt 25:1): being awake in order not to be submerged in worldly projects and greed (Lk 21:34; see com on Mk 13:33). It makes us constant and persevering in trials (Phil 3:10; Rom 8:17; see 184) and persecutions (heb 12:2; 2 Thes 3:5; Lk 21:19; Mt 10:22; Rev 2:10; 3:21; 1 P 3:14). It brings us happiness even in suffering (1 P 4:14; Mt 5:11). It makes us sober (1 Thes 5:8) and detached (1 Cor 7:29; Tit 2:12; 1 P 1:13).