Vol. 3, No. 2, April, 1998

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

Faith leads to action. How much faith do I have? Enough to move mountains? It only takes as much as a grain of mustard seed! Enough to contribute out of my need as well as my abundance? The poor widow gave two copper coins which was all she had to live on. Enough to do the works Jesus did and even greater? He said those who believe in Him will do the same works and even greater, because He will do it in us and because we ask in His name. Do I know Jesus well enough to know what He would ask from the Father? If so, I can ask in His name and He will do it.

To know Jesus and to live the Gospel demands faith. The Gospel is not static but a dynamic word. The only way it can be alive in my life is to see it lived out-in my own daily life and in the lives around me. Do I have enough faith and do I know Jesus well enough to be absolutely certain that I can ask anything in His name and He will do it? Am I able to give to the hungry because I know He will do it in me? Do I give drink (the Living Water) to those who thirst because I know it is He whom I am giving? Do I make a stranger or someone alone at a gathering feel part of the group because I know He would do the same? Do I clothe the naked and visit the sick because I know "there go I but for the grace of God?" Do I come to the imprisoned because I know they are suffering and it was with these that Jesus spent time? The choice I make today will add to, or take away from the person I am becoming.

On one hand faith sounds so simple-it only takes as much faith as a grain of mustard seed. Surely, I have that much! But on the other hand, faith can be so difficult-who, me, give food to my neighbor when we barely have enough for ourselves?

Faith is made concrete in action. It is seen in the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. How much faith do I have?