Introduction to Lumen Fidei

In John’s Gospel, Christ says of Himself: “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

1.  Unlike the Sun-worshippers of ancient times, we worship the Son “who rays bestow life.”  Church tradition speaks of the great gift given by Jesus as Lumen Fidei–the light of faith.

2.  Nietzsche developed his critique of Christianity by advancing the notion that faith is incompatible with seeking. To “modern” man, faith would become an illusion that stands in the way of a liberated humanity and its future.

3.  The light of reason could not penetrate wherever uncertainty was present.  Ultimately, the future “remained shadowy and fraught with fear of the unknown.”  So modern man gives up the search for Truth and is content with smaller truths that are incapable of illuminating good and evil.  The absence of this Light of Truth leads us nowhere.

4.  Lumen Fidei is unique.  It is powerful because it lights up the whole of human existence.  This powerful light come from God and is born from our encounter with a living God.  “Faith, received from God as a supernatural gift, becomes a light for our way, guiding our journey through time.”  It is this light of Faith that Pope Francis begins to consider.

5.  “Christ, on the eve of His passion, assured Peter.  ‘I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail'” (Luke 22: 32)  Presently, we are celebrating the Year of Faith.  Hopefully, this time of grace is helping to renew our joy as believers so we can profess our faith courageously and openly.  A faith centered on Christ and His grace releases power in us so that we could bear witness to Him to the end of our lives.

6.  “The Year of Faith was inaugurated on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.  This is itself a clear indication that Vatican II was a Council on faith, inasmnuch as it asked us to restore the primacy of God in Christ to the centre of our lives, both as a Church and as individuals.”

7.  The supernatural virtues of faith, hope, and charity are the driving force of Christian life.  Then, Pope Francis asks us, “But what is it like, this road which faith opens up before us?  what is the origin of this powerful light which brightens the journey of a successful and fruitful life?”