What Is Faith? - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Summary

In this sermon, the speaker explores the true biblical meaning of faith, contrasting it with common misconceptions like superstition or blind belief. Using historical examples such as John Adams and John Quincy Adams, alongside fictional heroes like Frodo and Luke Skywalker, faith is portrayed as courageous risk-taking and stepping into the unknown. Hebrews 11 and Abraham’s obedience illustrate that faith is trusting God’s promises even without seeing the full outcome. Faith is presented as an active, adventurous pursuit, calling believers to leave comfort zones, embrace challenges, and participate boldly in God’s unfolding plan, shaping lives and history through trust and courage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Faith is often misunderstood as superstition or blind belief, but biblical faith is rational and rooted in trust.
• 😀 True faith aligns with reason and the logic of God, as Jesus is the Logos, the mind of God made flesh.
• 😀 Faith involves stepping into the unknown and taking risks, much like historical figures who shaped the world.
• 😀 John Adams and his son exemplify faith through courageous actions despite uncertain outcomes and great danger.
• 😀 Literary heroes like Peter Parker, Luke Skywalker, Bilbo, and Frodo illustrate that adventure and growth require leaving comfort zones.
• 😀 Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as 'the realization of what is hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'
• 😀 Abraham is the ultimate biblical example of faith, leaving home at 75 without knowing the destination, trusting God's promise.
• 😀 People of faith are not passive; they are adventurers willing to follow God's call into uncertainty and challenge.
• 😀 Inspirational mottos like Ignatius of Loyola's 'always greater' and Pierre Giorgio Frassati's 'to the heights' reflect the adventurous spirit of faith.
• 😀 Faith allows individuals to contribute to greater good, achieve growth, and realize God's promises, benefiting both themselves and future generations.
• 😀 Religious faith is dynamic and active, not a static comfort zone, encouraging continual trust, courage, and pursuit of God’s plan.

Q & A

What common misconception about faith does the speaker address at the beginning?

The speaker addresses the misconception that faith is blind belief, superstition, or naive acceptance of ideas without evidence. He emphasizes that biblical faith is not opposed to reason.

How does the speaker define faith according to the Letter to the Hebrews?

Faith is defined as 'the realization of what is hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,' meaning it involves trust and hope in what is not fully visible or known.

Why does the speaker refer to John Adams and the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

John Adams' actions illustrate faith as taking a significant risk without knowing the full outcome, showing courage and hope in pursuing a greater purpose.

What lesson does the speaker draw from John Adams' transatlantic journey in 1778?

The journey demonstrates that faith involves venturing into dangerous or uncertain circumstances for a mission greater than oneself, reflecting trust and bravery.

How does the speaker connect literary heroes to the concept of faith?

He compares heroes like Frodo, Bilbo, Luke Skywalker, and Peter Parker to people of faith, showing that stepping out of comfort zones and embracing risk leads to growth and fulfillment of potential.

Who is presented as the biblical archetype of faith, and why?

Abraham is the archetype of faith because he obeyed God's call to leave his familiar home for an unknown land, trusting God's promise without knowing all the details.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between faith and adventure?

Faith is framed as an adventurous pursuit, requiring courage to step into the unknown and take risks for a higher purpose, much like heroes in history, literature, and scripture.

How does the speaker challenge the idea that religious people are complacent or outdated?

He argues that people of faith are not 'fuddy-duddies' or passive; rather, they are willing to embrace challenges and follow God's guidance even into uncertain or difficult circumstances.

What inspirational mottos does the speaker mention, and what do they signify about faith?

The speaker cites Ignatius of Loyola's 'Semper magis' ('Always greater, always more') and Pierre Giorgio Frassati's 'Verso le altezze' ('To the heights'), highlighting that faith involves striving for higher goals and embracing challenges.

What is the overall message the speaker wants listeners to take away about faith?

The overall message is that faith is active trust, courage, and hope. It involves stepping beyond comfort, embracing risk, and pursuing a higher purpose, just as heroes in history, literature, and scripture have done.

How does the speaker use the concept of 'risk' to explain faith?

He uses historical and literary examples to show that taking risks, even without knowing the outcome, is central to faith. Risk is necessary for growth, adventure, and achieving significant goals.

Why does the speaker emphasize that biblical faith is compatible with reason?

Because Jesus is described as the 'Logos' or the mind of God made flesh, the speaker asserts that faith is aligned with logic and reason, unlike superstition or naive belief.