Faith Can’t Be Taught, it Must Be Caught

by Letters Editor · Published July 19, 2018 · Updated July 16, 2018

Stephen Clark, Manila, Philippines – My wife and I were travelling recently in the north of the Philippines. It’s still a mission territory but even though there is not always a priest around, the people gather every evening for the Rosary after they come in from the fields.

We joined them and couldn’t help but notice that most were old and most were women. This is a common sight here, as in the Western world, with mostly elderly women stoically bolstering the Church. I wonder why?

Clearly the problem cannot be our origin. It is the Church started by the Lord himself. Its popes and bishops are successors of Peter and the Apostles. We don’t cater to shifting public opinion but retain authentic and unchangeable teachings.

Holy Spirit Regenerates People Through the Word

The thing is, though, faith cannot really be taught, it must be caught. And you can only catch it from someone who has it in the first place.

The early days of the Church set the tone for this: “These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover” (Mk 16:17-18).

Early Church in the Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles lead us into this demonstration of faith, confirmed by heaven through signs and the wonders of the Lord’s love and mercy.

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Why would anyone leave that Church? Those early Christians showed that Jesus was a living God, the source of everything we need, not just salvation but everything.

Faith became the very centre of their lives, an active one, a life of miracles. After all, it would be inaccurate to preach a God who is merely a historical figure, or a reclusive, remote Being.

After the Rosary, we shared some testimonies about miracles we had witnessed and my wife gave a talk about praying for healing and we prayed over many who were sick.

After that the participants couldn’t wait to go and pray for their sick friends and relatives: an immediate domino effect.

I think God is waiting as patiently to be introduced as his people are waiting to hear more about and receive him!