What does your faith mean to you?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

A reflection on the daily readings by Father Perry.

+ John the Baptist sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him a very important question: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to look for another?”

And Jesus simply responds: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”

+ So, what have we seen? What does all of this mean to us?

Probably before, but certainly since, scientists have come to realize that they have more questions than answers.

Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955).

When French Jesuit priest, Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who was a scientist, paleontologist, theologian, philosopher, and teacher, described the “Big Bang Theory” of creation, the understanding of the universe became more and more and more complex, wondrous, and filled with questions that were infinite and astonishingly faith-filled.

He, the priest and scientist, led us to realize that all of creation is but a tiny expression of God’s infinity and being; it should and does and always bring us to our knees.

It is too much! It is too great. He would hold that it certainly echoes God’s word today in Isaiah: “I am the Lord, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness. I do all these things.”

Thank God that every once in awhile someone comes along who shares truth and enlightened understanding in such a way that we become so much more aware of our human and divine realities.

Teilhard said: “You are not a human being in search of a human experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.”

+ This makes the human and divine connection in Jesus the Christ even more important, significant, and faith-filled.

+ The disciples of John asked: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to look for another?”

And Jesus simply answered them: “Go tell John what you have seen and heard.”

+ What have you and I seen and heard? What does it mean to us? How does it change what we know, understand, and have discovered in our lives, in our world?

And like Father Pierre, have we shared the good news?

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.