• Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Pope Francis
  • Subscribe
The Texas Catholic
The Texas Catholic

Dallas, Texas

Today is Thursday, May 19, 2022
  • Home
  • Diocese
  • Bishop Burns
  • Synod
  • Columnists
  • Revista Catolica
  • Pope Francis
  • Subscribe
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
Home
Bishop Kevin Farrell

Faith beyond belief

Friday, May 13, 2016

People pray the rosary at the the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala. (CNS photo/Jeff Bruno, EWTN)

People pray the rosary at the the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala. (CNS photo/Jeff Bruno, EWTN)

By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell
Publisher of The Texas Catholic

What gets us through the really rotten moments of life is the confidence that no matter how hopeless a situation seems, God will give us the strength to hang on. That confidence is the fruit of faith.  It is trust in God’s promise that he will not abandon us.

Faith is more than belief in God, it is confidence in his promises. Belief and faith are not synonymous. The Epistle of James reminds us that the demons in hell believe. In addition to belief, faith must include trust in God.

Mary’s response to the incredible message of the angel Gabriel was: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) Abraham had such confidence in God that in his old age he uprooted his wife and household and began a perilous journey to a distant and unknown land because God had told him to do so. (Gen 12:1-4)

Faith is habitual. It is a way of life not a Band Aid that is put on when we hurt. If our life is not grounded in faith, we are not likely to discover it in life’s darker moments. It has been said that there are no atheists in foxholes. Foxhole religion is fear not faith. It flows from fear of eternal punishment not from trust in God.

A firm, confident Christian faith gives us a tranquility and stability during the difficult times as well as the good ones.

We learn faith in community. Pope Francis wrote: “Faith is not a private matter, a completely individualistic notion or a personal opinion: it comes from hearing, and it is meant to find expression in words and to be proclaimed.” For “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? [Rom 10:14]” (Lumen Fidei #22)

Faith comes to us through community and it cannot be hoarded, it must be shared. The Church must be more than a community of believers; it is called to be a community of faith.

  • Tags
  • Bishop Kevin J. Farrell
  • Catholic Diocese of Dallas
  • The Texas Catholic
Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Coppell parish unveils ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture
Previous article Priest remembered for faith, humor and service

Related Posts

Father Dankasa: Why should we sacrifice? Columnists
Sunday, May 8, 2022

Father Dankasa: Why should we sacrifice?

Father Esposito: Mary, mother of every beloved disciple Columnists
Thursday, May 5, 2022

Father Esposito: Mary, mother of every beloved disciple

Father Bayer: Faith in Medicine Columnists
Monday, April 25, 2022

Father Bayer: Faith in Medicine

Texas Catholic Classics

A look at the five Dallas law enforcement officers who gave their lives while protecting citizens during a mass shooting in downtown Dallas in July 2016.

 

How a child with special needs inspired a high school volleyball team, community and a family who heeded God’s call to protect life.

 

After a young runner collapsed at a Dallas marathon, grace and providence unfolded for those involved in the valiant effort to help her.

   

In the summer of 2016, 50 students and 25 chaperones from Dallas Catholic high schools traveled to Nicaragua for a 10-day mission trip.

 

Early on a November morning, Kenndrick Mendieta bounded from the gym at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep toward the campus’ athletic fields as clouds lifted on a fresh new day.

 

Subscribe

Get the award-winning Texas Catholic delivered to your door. Use the menu below to subscribe now.


Subscription length




 

Photo Gallery

Click here to find your favorite Texas Catholic photographs.

The Texas Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Michael Gresham, Editor

3725 Blackburn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 379-2800

Our Affiliated Sites

Texas Catholic Youth

Revista Católica

Legal and Other

Contact us

Terms of service

Privacy policy

Site map

Site powered by TexasCatholicMedia

© 2013-2019 The Texas Catholic Publishing Company. All rights reserved.