Love for souls sounds theoretical, vague, and ambiguous. But we’re talking about authentic Christian love, charity. We don’t just love on a human level, but we love others as spiritual and eternal persons, images of God himself. “God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him” (Gn 1:27).
The example that the Holy Father gives
at the beginning of the Year of Faith is that of the Samaritan woman at
the well. She asks Christ for water, but he goes far beyond her physical
needs and loves her more deeply. “If you only knew what God is offering
and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me something to drink,’ you
would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living
water” (Jn 4:10). He recognizes her real thirst and tries to quench it.
Over 250 people just finished participating with Benedict XVI in the General Synod of bishops on the New Evangelization. The Synod kicks off the year of the faith which opened in early October and will last most of 2013. How can we share our faith in today's world?
The Holy Father has also made it the theme of all of his Wednesday audiences. Every Wednesday, he will talk about some aspect of faith.
Here's a short excerpt from last Wednesday:
In our series of catecheses for the Year of Faith, we now consider the nature of faith. More than simply knowledge about God, faith is a living encounter with him. Through faith we come to know and love God, who reveals himself in the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and in so doing reveals the deepest meaning and truth of our human existence. Faith offers us sure hope and direction amid the spiritual confusion of our times. Before all else, faith is a divine gift which enables us to open our hearts and minds to God’s word and, through Baptism, to share in his divine life within the community of the Church. Yet faith is also a profoundly human act, engaging our intelligence and freedom. When we welcome God’s invitation and gift, our lives, and the world around us, are transformed. May this Year of Faith help us to live our faith fully, and to invite others to hear and welcome God’s word, opening their hearts to the eternal life which faith promises. Benedict XVI, 24 October 2012
Tell me what faith means for you!
