The perspective of faith

WE are always in search for a proper perspective. We need it, if only to have a sense of where we are at the moment in our path of development, where we came from, where we are going, etc. A sense of perspective gives meaning and direction to our life. It offers the ultimate dimensions of our life, framing it into a vital whole.

We can have many kinds of perspectives. There’s the economic or political or ideological perspective. There’s the material and spiritual perspective, and the historical one, etc. Whatever we think, judge and decide, whatever we do is usually pursued with a perspective in mind.

The perspective sheds light to things, tracing their relationship to one another and determining the places and values proper to them. It puts order to them according to its criteria.

We need to realize that there is actually a perspective of all perspectives. The ones we are more acquainted with are usually the secondary ones, subordinate to this mother perspective.

This is the perspective of faith that springs from man’s deepest longings and covers the whole range of human concerns. It is the perspective that comes not simply from us, but rather from our Creator who wants to share his life, and therefore, his perspective with us.

In this regard, it might be helpful to quote some relevant lines from the Church document, “Gaudium et spes,” that speaks precisely about what faith does to our vision of things.

“The People of God believe that it is led by the Lord’s Spirit, who fills the earth,” the document says. “Motivated by this faith, it labors to decipher authentic signs of God’s presence and purpose in the happenings, needs and desires in which this People has a part along with other men of our age.

“For faith throws a new light on everything, and makes known the full ideal which God has set for man, thus guiding the mind towards solutions that are fully human.” (11)

We as Christian believers, if we have to be consistent all the way in our life, in our thoughts, words and actions, should ever strengthen and deepen our sense of perspective that comes from our faith.

We need to study our faith thoroughly, bringing it to our prayer, incarnating it in our life through our attitudes and virtues. This will always be a life-long task that should never be taken for granted even if the fruits of such effort take time to come.

It’s worthwhile to immerse ourselves in our faith, in spite of its mysterious and sometimes distant character. Our attitude toward this duty should not be dominated by practical reasons alone it should be motivated precisely by faith and love of God and others, such that even if results are not immediate, we go on with that duty.

This is our main problem that we need to overcome. We tend to exploit faith for our personal purposes rather than allowing faith to enlighten and lead us on its own terms. We make the objective faith held captive by our purely subjective and immediate needs.

Some words of St. Bonaventure can shed light on how we ought to meditate on our Christian faith, so that it can truly give us the proper perspective, rather than reducing it to our own terms. The words hit the bull’s eye of our present predicament.

“We must suspend all operations of the mind and we must transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone. This is a sacred mystical experience. It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it. Nor can he surrender himself to it unless he longs for it.

“Nor can he long for it unless the Holy Spirit should come and inflame his innermost soul. If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research.

“Seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man; darkness not daylight; and look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervor and glowing love.”

For certain, our faith requires us to study it and to be practical about it. Let us just make sure that we don’t detach that effort from a living contact with God. Such neglect would deform our faith and give us an improper perspective that can undermine our faith itself.