Lets Talk About Faith

A reader responds to the spider web blog:

"Your lovely spider web thoughts reminded me of spider webs in Eau Claire.  

The low bridge across the Eau Claire river had each day new spider webs in each section the entire length of the bridge.  We used to marvel at how different and intricate each web was.  I see each spider web as one of many ways - many ‘churches’ - that offers the many possibilities to experience our interconnected web of life with Unity at the core. When we take the time to look, we see so much beyond one small web to recognize and appreciate."

Thank you for your voice.  I like your thought on the many "possibilities," and "interconnectedness," of the variety of faith communities.

Thanks for entering the conversation. 

This morning I am wanting to do a little playing around with the general Idea inferred when the term faith is used.  Because, if you really think about it, what faith is can be somewhat allusive.  Something that is defined, or concluded, by another’s understanding of the word.  

Often times people want to measure faith.  Or put it in a box.  Or claim a standard for faith.  This confusion has created, what we, call denominations.  Groups who claim a certain understanding of the Bible or God.  All of them claim the correct understanding of God and faith and salvation.

And God has gotten all mixed up in the confusion.

Words of all kinds are spoken, and/or received, in this way.  Words such as  love, or tolerance,  desire, passion.   Or a big one “all.”   

For my discussion I will be using the Gospel reading that records two major, in my mind, events that communicate how faith works — Mark 5:21-43.

Two people beyond all apparent human help.  Both were returned — restored — to life.  The restoration, is understood to have come, through the actions of Jesus/God.  

Both events were rooted in “faith” that God could!  

That God was, somehow, at work in Jesus.  God’s activity present in the lives of two human situations beyond all logical solution. 

We hear clearly the historical call-- the main theme of the Bible,  to trust in God. And not the temptation to fear or be anxious.

Personal memory:  As I was thinking of this theme of trust — confidence in God’s ability — my mother’s voice came drifting back into my mind. 

She often said to me, in frustration:   “I can talk until I am blue in the face; and you still don’t understand." 

Jesus said, to those who followed him around: “Have you still no faith?”   “Are you still without understanding?”   

I can tell you and tell you and tell you.  And you still don’t understand.  

Can’t you just hear those words echoing down through ancient history, until today?  All of the Prophets of Old did it.   Jesus certainly did!  Our mothers and fathers did it too.

So this is how I choose to address this term.  I’ll say “faith” is most often  first realized,  thought about,  tested and wondered about in a time of need.  That need can be at a tragic time in one’s life, a time of learning, or a challenge or temptation.  In all of those situations the question, of this illusive concept, often comes into question in a persons mind.  

Usually the issue of faith is pondered in time of some kind of major stress.  Which often includes a call for help beyond self sufficiency.

It can be in someone who has been exposed to religion, as well as someone who has not. 

…a leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet.

A Need has occurred in Jairus’ life that calls for help beyond himself.  What we are suppose to know is that Jairus is a religious man.  We know this because he works in the synagogue.  A place of learning about God for Jewish people.  

Need also occurs for the woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.   We are not aware of her background.  But we do know enough to know that she somehow felt that Jesus had  power that would help her.  We know this because she has the courage to break all purity laws by moving through the crowd; just to touch Jesus’ robe, in order to be healed. 

Sick people, especially things concerning blood, were considered unclean. And not to be in the presence of the general public.  

Touching Jesus would be an act of making him unclean.

Those two stories express human need at the deepest point — possible death.

What we also hear is the presence of prayer.  Their need prompted action.   A verbal, or silent, call for help.  That is prayer, when addressed to God.

Jesus responds to both with an action:  Restoring health and giving life.

Which I will suggest has, in some not so subtle way, grown into a trust and confidence in God.  

Faith!

To be continued.

  

 21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, "Who touched me?' " 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. (Mark 5)

1 I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. 3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD . You kept me from falling into the pit of death. 4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” 7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered. 8 I cried out to you, O LORD . I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, 9 “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD .” 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!(Ps. 30 NLT)