Understanding Christian Faith and Wisdom: A Biblical Perspective
Understanding Christian Faith
Christian faith is both a human and supernatural faith because its object is the work of God and God’s grace. It consists of a personal encounter with the Christian God: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. It is the answer to God’s love, a decision to trust and surrender completely to God.
Christian faith covers all aspects of personal and social life. Therefore, it is celebrated in the liturgy and sacraments of the Church, practiced through Christian morality, and professed in the Creed and the prayers of the Church.
Cultivating and Maturing Christian Faith
The following are the main attitudes and behaviors to find and grow in the Christian faith:
- Dedicate time each day to silence and reflection on the most important things that happen to us.
- Contemplate the beauty of nature and the grandeur of life as a creation and gift of God.
- Study the Christian faith, especially in Catholic religion classes.
- Listen quietly to Catholic Church music.
- Read and reflect on the experience of God as communicated through mystical poetry. For example, the poetry of the great Spanish mystics like Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross.
- Admire and pray silently before mystical and ecumenical paintings.
- Approach God for help.
- Participate in days of prayer, meetings of young Catholics, spiritual exercises, etc.
- Talk to a priest, professor of religion, or family about questions of faith or how to strengthen it.
- Pray and talk with God every day.
- Read and reflect on the teachings of the Bible.
- Participate in the sacraments of the Catholic Church, especially the Sunday Eucharist.
- Join a church group.
The Story of Jonah
Jonah was a prophet of Israel, son of Amitai. He lived at the time of Jeroboam II. In the 5th century BC, a biblical author wrote the Book of Jonah, starring this prophet. His name means “dove.”
Interpreting the Story of Jonah
This book is a dramatized narrative, similar to some Gospel parables, such as the Prodigal Son. The author uses the locations and characters in the story as symbols to express a religious message. Thus, Nineveh represents sinners and discrimination; the “sailors” represent active and responsible people doing their best to avoid a catastrophe; and “Jonah” represents people of confused faith, who do not understand that God will forgive and tolerate those who have behaved badly.
Lessons from Jonah for Today
The book aims to show God’s love and forgiveness. Jonah’s attempts to deceive his conscience and God, and his anger with Him for forgiving and loving the people of Nineveh who had converted to the faith, are a sign of an insecure faith that needs to mature. True faith in God is to have confidence in Him and accept that His love and mercy are for all people and nations.
The Book of Wisdom
Interpreting the Book of Wisdom
The Book of Wisdom was written in Egypt, particularly in Alexandria. Its atmosphere was one of great immorality, idolatry, sorcery, luxury, and pleasure. There was also a wide variety of religions that offered all sorts of messages to find happiness. Many Jews were persecuted for practicing their faith in one God.
Against this background, the author of the Book of Wisdom refers to the Greek and Egyptian cultures of his time. He begins a dialogue between the Jewish religion and these cultures. He does this to learn the best of these cultures, to teach and strengthen the Jewish faith, and to teach a great message: human and divine wisdom.
In the biblical text, the author asks God to grant him the great quality of wisdom. He describes true wisdom as an expression and activity of God, leading the person to be friends with Him and be loved by Him.
Lessons from Wisdom for Today
The text invites us to seek true wisdom in our daily lives. It proposes that we ask God for wisdom. Indirectly, we are taught to avoid attitudes that prevent discovering and developing wisdom: self-sufficiency, believing that we know everything, and the pride of believing that we do not need good advice. It also teaches us to be humble, to learn to value wise people, and to love the wisdom God gives us.