Examination of Conscience on the Gift of Faith

THE GIFT OF FAITH.

FIRST POINT.

LET us adore GOD as the Supreme Ruler of all things, and as the One and Only Source of all Truth. He, by giving us the gift of faith, and by revealing to us the wondrous mysteries of Faith, hath called us “out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 S. Pet. ii. 9), and hath “translated us into the Kingdom of His dear SON” (Col. i. 13). What thanks, then, what praises should we not give to this GOD of Mercy, in that He hath been pleased to enrich us with the priceless treasure of Divine faith. Verily, “He hath not dealt so with any nation” (Ps. cxlvii. 20).

SECOND POINT.

LET us ask ourselves whether we have not fallen into some of the sins against this gift of faith.

Has our faith been really earnest and sincere, or have we not contented ourselves with a mere outward profession of our holy Faith? Have we firmly believed all the revealed truths of GOD, making no exception for doubt, even in the smallest particular? Have we believed undoubtingly, without hesitating or giving heed to what our senses and our reason may have suggested? Has our belief been single-hearted—that is to say, have we believed simply because GOD has revealed these truths to His Church, whence we receive them? Have we not been amongst those who, instead of submitting humbly to the decisions of the Church, seek by subtle arguments to oppose them, or at all events to find excuses for evading such as are repugnant to our reason? Have we not also felt such overweening confidence in our own opinions as to estimate them as Articles of Faith to which the Church has given her sanction?

If we readily accept truths which are theoretical, do we not make difficulties as to those which are more practical? When we read in the Gospel that true peace in this life is to be found in poverty, in contempt of the world, and in suffering—that we must renounce self and love our enemies, have we believed these truths as fully as we believe in the existence of GOD, or in the Incarnation and Death of our LORD JESUS CHRIST?

Have we not endeavoured to search too curiously into mysteries; and, striving to expound them by the light of mere human reason, have we not exposed ourselves to numberless temptations against the Faith? Have we carefully avoided all books, conversations, and discussions, which might prove, either to ourselves or to others, a source of temptation on this point?

When we have felt any temptation concerning our faith, instead of trying to combat it by argument, have we humbled ourselves and cast ourselves at the feet of our SAVIOUR with the prayer of the Apostles, “LORD, increase our faith”? (S. Luke xvii. 5.) To become worthy of this grace, and to establish ourselves in the Faith of the Church, have we sought to strengthen others, either by making known to them the great verities of Religion, or by explaining their doubts, or, above all, by instructing children and the poor?

Lastly, have we been specially careful to make frequent acts of faith—particularly upon the truths concerning which we know ourselves to be most tempted to doubt?

THIRD POINT.

O MY GOD, if Thy Saints took delight in forsaking all things to preserve their faith, it was because they knew that faith was the chief stay of all Thy gifts, that it made them of the number of Thine, and that without it they could not please Thee. Grant to us, LORD, we beseech Thee, to feel this also; and fill our hearts with the same holy desires, so that, like Thy Saints of old, we may have grace to choose to die rather than to lose our faith. “We dread the death of the body less than the death of faith” (S. Bernard).