CALL TO FAITH

By: Sem. Mark Gil D. Yongco

  Reflection on “Faith as Understanding"

 St. Anselm of Canterbury once gave definition of Theology as “Faith Seeking Understanding.”

 Perhaps you might ask, why do we need to understand our faith?

In my Opinion, understanding in any aspect of life is a natural and basic desire of each person in the world...

For example, in our childhood, we wonder about the mystery of things, experiences and events that surround us like- the proper way of eating, walking, dressing, communicating, speaking writing, reading, and so forth... because as humans, we have the natural desire to understand the things/event/experiences/wisdom which are not familiar or known to us... therefore we want to understand

In relation to our faith as understanding, first, we believe in God as the Creator and source of our faith and life, but in my opinion, we must not stop there! Faith is not static like our life in the world!!

We must ignite our desire to know more NOW, about our Faith by reading the Scriptures, participating in the Mission of the Church (to be holy and make others holy), celebrating the Sacraments, specially the Living Eucharist; and by living out the Gospel Message of love, justice and peace for all God's creation.

Indeed Faith as understanding, will lead us to transform ourselves, the Church herself, the society, and the world as the true Kingdom of God.

2.      Reflection on the "Humility of Incarnation"

 The Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the true model FOR HUMILITY, PASSION FOR LIFE AND SERVICE as a PERSON FOR OTHERS. We learn from Saint Paul in his Letter to the Philippians 2:5-8:

 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Indeed this is the key term for the genuine meaning of Humility as manifested in the life and works of our servant, Jesus Christ.