FAITH IS A Way Of Seeing (Three Levels) WITH OUR PHYSICAL EYES WITH OUR INTELLECT/MIND WITH THE EYES OF FAITH

With our physical eyes  We see forms, size, shape, colour.  This we do on the basis of physical science

With our intellect/mind  See the meaning and use of things  Rationalize  Make use of Logic, Maths,  We are able to draw inference, conclusions, frame theories, philosophical reflection

With the eyes of faith  Go to deeper level of meaning  Level of seeing reality (from god’s view point)  This is not an imagination or dream. It is a reality much stronger than what we see with our physical and mental eyes  Go to deeper level of meaning  Level of seeing reality (from god’s view point)  This is not an imagination or dream. It is a reality much stronger than what we see with our physical and mental eyes

 Ramakrishna, Vivekanada asked show me that god exists reply “ I see god more clearly than I see you”  Our faith is Nourished, strengthened and increased by constantly reading, reflecting and praying over the word of God.  Allow it to enter into us, to challenge us, and become part of our life  Ramakrishna, Vivekanada asked show me that god exists reply “ I see god more clearly than I see you”  Our faith is Nourished, strengthened and increased by constantly reading, reflecting and praying over the word of God.  Allow it to enter into us, to challenge us, and become part of our life

 God’s word may come to us, through our parents (family) neighbours, teachers, pastors, authors, etc.  Through our life experience. prayer, sacraments and our conscience God’s word

Challenges for faith testing moments  Suffering, failure, broken friendship, feelings misunderstood, rejected, hopeless situation.  We have examples: Mother Teresa in way concentration people who suffered in war: I believe in the sun even when it is not shining I believe in love even when I don’t feel it I believe in god, even when he is silent  Suffering, failure, broken friendship, feelings misunderstood, rejected, hopeless situation.  We have examples: Mother Teresa in way concentration people who suffered in war: I believe in the sun even when it is not shining I believe in love even when I don’t feel it I believe in god, even when he is silent

Faith is not unreasonable, though It is beyond reason. Beliefs are what we have received from others. While we hold them, they may exist with some doubt, which may let us down in a time of crisis Faith – (Knowledge) comes from within the person, from our own personal experience. They exist free of doubt and so, will not let us down even in a crisis. Beliefs have to become ‘knowledge’ or ‘faith’ this means some thing deeply rooted in my being, which I am ready to live for, suffer for and die for Beliefs and faith

CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF FAITH  Faith begins with an experience of God in Jesus  Accepting Jesus an our savior; our personal surrender to him.  The effect of our surrender is to share Jesus’ vision reality which is God’s eye – view of things  Jesus sees the reality as God sees

 If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light  Our attitudes are conditioned: towards our enemy – inimical, defensive, towards friends amicable  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light  Our attitudes are conditioned: towards our enemy – inimical, defensive, towards friends amicable

THE FIRST EFFECT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD  God is our father or mother  He loves us and respects our freedom  He gives us responsibilities (he is not the other worldly nor a beyond our reach)  We accept God who is within us, infinite power. He helps us to be co-creators. He gives us the world and all that are in it to make them better. The seven effects of faith

THE SECOND EFFECT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OURSELVES  We see ourselves as God sees, as Jesus sees us.  Jesus sees me as God’s beloved child, Sharer in God’s life.  We are lovable, precious, good, dignified and love-able.  It means to accept, to appreciate, to love and to be grateful

 God’s loves us means – he shares his life, love and the love ability  We are carriers of God’s love. We who believe in Jesus can do greater works than that of Jesus (JN 14:12). We are completely transformed  But very often we see ourselves through the eyes of others. They see us externally, through our positions, achievements, group, actions, appearances and so on.  We should never forget that we are fallible, limited human beings, we are prone to make mistakes, Failures are part of our life.  God’s loves us means – he shares his life, love and the love ability  We are carriers of God’s love. We who believe in Jesus can do greater works than that of Jesus (JN 14:12). We are completely transformed  But very often we see ourselves through the eyes of others. They see us externally, through our positions, achievements, group, actions, appearances and so on.  We should never forget that we are fallible, limited human beings, we are prone to make mistakes, Failures are part of our life.

THE THIRD EFFECT FAITH IS TO SEE OTHERS AS GOD SEES THEM  Others too are beloved children of God  You are mine, I have called you by name says the Lord. Hence we need to accept them as brother and sister.  We should not judge them on the basis of their possession, positions, group they belong to, their qualities.  We are invited to respect, understand and accept them.

THE FOURTH EFFECT FAITH IS TO SAY YES TO LIFE Faith  god spreads to me through life and every event  So much vital in life is beyond my choice it is freely given to us  My parents, brothers and sisters, companies, nationality, language, culture, religion, spirit, church Faith  god spreads to me through life and every event  So much vital in life is beyond my choice it is freely given to us  My parents, brothers and sisters, companies, nationality, language, culture, religion, spirit, church

 Faith is to accept them dynamically. It is a creative acceptance of life.  Creative means to change a situation - needs to be changed  Finding out solutions to problems  Every situation has some seeds for growth  Face the accidents of life and transform them

THE Fifth EFFECT BRINGING ABOUT GOD’S KINGDOM  Work for God’s reign defeating the forces of evil  There are demons which work against us. (hatred, pried, greed and so on.)  Never allow exploitation of children, woman and the poor  Work so that we live in freedom, love and peace  We try to remove all that dehumanize and enslaves us  Work for God’s reign defeating the forces of evil  There are demons which work against us. (hatred, pried, greed and so on.)  Never allow exploitation of children, woman and the poor  Work so that we live in freedom, love and peace  We try to remove all that dehumanize and enslaves us

THE Sixth EFFECT NO TO SIN No to sin, to injustices and to exploitation greed, power, egoism

THE Seventh EFFECT SURRENDER ONESELF Surrender oneself in intimacy with Jesus, spend time with Jesus for personal transformation Faith is to live by our values, outlook. Priorities: as what Jesus did heal the sick, feed the hungry. Give hope and life; to love as he loves and forgives. Surrender oneself in intimacy with Jesus, spend time with Jesus for personal transformation Faith is to live by our values, outlook. Priorities: as what Jesus did heal the sick, feed the hungry. Give hope and life; to love as he loves and forgives.

THANK YOU MAY GOD BLESS YOU