Reaching Out

 Faith is necessary to have a relationship with God.  Wojciech Giertych expresses this in "The Spark of Faith."  He is the papal theologian, yet writes clearly theological concepts that even I, as a lay person can understand.  I savored his thoughts and took many notes.

        Everyone's faith is different because God individualizes the grace for each of us, enabling us to be brought into a close relationship with God.  That's one of the mysteries of faith.

       Faith does not destroy reason or we wouldn't ask questions.  Human reason ponders faith and comes to a definition or explanation approaching satisfaction for each of us.  This changes, grows, with prayer and sacramental grace.

       Wojciech Giertych book is not an easy read, but it's not difficult.  I read it as spiritual/meditation--a little at a time.  Thus I found it very readable and enjoyable.

Contraception and the Coming Violence

Life Site interviews the papal theologian, Fr. Wojciech Giertych, op, on contraception and the coming violence, through the rejection of Humanae Vitae

The Touch of Faith

The Papal Theologian, Fr. Wojciech Giertych, O.P., shares his thoughts on Faith.  He brings to mind the woman who touches the hem of Jesus' garment.  (Mark 5:25-34)  Father explains, "She touched Jesus' coat with her finger, but she touched his heart with her faith.  Jesus knows this, He said, 'because the power came out of me.'  What this means is that every time we make an act of faith, 'the power of God comes out of God and fills us,' Father Giertych explained.  The initial act of faith comes from God, but it still requires a response from us.  The possibility of making the act of faith comes from God because faith is a grace, but the lighting of the sparkplug is up to us.  We make these acts of faith because we've been enabled by God to do this."

The Papal Theologian's words resonate with me.  The spark plug is ignited, and we can idle, or we can go someplace.  It's up to us.

Fr. Giertych is not participating actively in the current Synod of Bishops.  He's an observer.  He's an observer applying Thomistic eyes to see that which is not evident.  All through the grace of God.