FAITH
There are three factors of faith that we should be concerned about
upon:
- Your faith
- The faith of the one who is ministering healing to you
- The faith of your community
“2610 Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives
thank you before receiving your gifts, that’s why you teach us filial
boldness: ‘Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that
receive it and you will receive it.[66] Such is the power of prayer and
of faith that does not doubt: ‘everything is possible
Who believes. ‘[67] Jesus is so sad about ‘lack of faith’
of their own neighbors and the ‘little faith’ of theirs
disciples[68] while in awe of admiration for the great
faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.[69]”
[CCC; Notes: 66 Mk 11:24. 67 Mk 9:23; cf. Mt 21:22. 68 Cf. Mk
6:6; Mt 8:26. 69 Cf. Mt 8:10; 15:28.]
Let’s look up these Biblical references and get started
with them in full context:
22 And Jesus answering said to them, You have
faith in God.23 For truly I tell you, whoever says to
this mountain, move and throw yourself into the sea;
and will not doubt in his heart, but will believe that those
the things he says will happen; he will have
all that he says.“24 Therefore I tell you that whatever you desire,
When you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have
them.“025 And when you are praying, forgive, if necessary
against anyone: so that your Father who is in heaven also
forgive your offenses.“026 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who
He is in heaven, forgive your offenses. ” [Mark 11:22-
26]
Notice first that footnote 66 refers to verse 24 and what it is
quoted is exactly what the verse says and taken in context
with the verses around it, the interpretation is totally
Biblical.
There are a couple of additional points from this
extended passage:
- First of all, note that this applies to “faith in God” and not to some “new age” philosophy. [v. 22]
- The next notice now, verses 25 and 26, relate forgiveness to the process.
- Finally see that doubt can also stop the process. [v. 23]
Let’s now look at the two verses associated with footnote 67:
“Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all
to the one who believes, things are possible “. [Mark
9:23]
and
“And all the things, all that you ask in
prayer, believing, you will receive “. [Matt
21:22]
I let you make sure that these two
the verses are accurately quoted and in context.
Now we come to footnote 68, where Jesus was disappointed for the first time.
in the lack of faith of the Apostles where he had to calm the
waves during a storm.
“24 And behold, a great storm arose in
the sea, in such a way that the ship was covered with waves:
but he was asleep.“25 And his disciples came to him and woke him up, saying:
Lord, save us: we perish.“26 And he said to them: Why are you afraid, little men?
faith? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and
there was a great calm. ” [Matt 8:24-26]
Jesus expected more from those who ministered to him.
Jesus also expects a certain level of faith for a community:
“1 And he left there and entered his
own country; and his disciples follow him.“2 And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the
synagogue; and many, hearing it, were amazed and said:
Where does he get these things from? and what wisdom is this
given to him, that even such mighty works are
forged by his hands?“3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of
James, Joseph, Judah, and Simon? and they are not yours
sisters here with us? And they were offended with him.“4 But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor,
but in his own country, and among his own, and in his own
home.“5 And he could do no mighty work there except that he put his
hands on a few sick people and healed them.“6 And he marveled at their unbelief. And he went
through the villages, teaching. ” [Mark 6:1-6]
Jesus himself was hampered by his lack of faith.
community. Verse 5 says that Jesus “could not do any mighty
plays “.
(Apparently, verse 3 refers to “his own relatives.” [v. 4] such as
first or second cousins instead of blood siblings and
sisters.)
How much more difficult is it for us to see powerful works done?
in a community full of disbelief?
Fortunately, we don’t have to end on a negative note as we move forward.
to footnote 69 with first discusses the “great faith” of the
Centurion:
“5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum,
A centurion approached him, pleading with him,“6 And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick with
paralysis, severely tormented.“7 And Jesus said to him: I will come and heal him.
“8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy of
for you to come under my roof; but say the word
only, and my servant will heal.“9 Because I am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under my command:
and I say to this man: Go, and go; and to another, come,
and comes; and to my servant: Do this, and do it.“10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and told them that
followed: Truly I tell you that I have not found so great
faith, no, not in Israel.“11 And I tell you that many will come from the east
and to the west, and he will sit with Abraham and Isaac, and
Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.“12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into
darkness outside: it will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“13 And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and how
you have believed, so be it done to you. And his servant
he was healed in the same hour. ” [Matt 8:5-13]
Notice that the words of verse 8 are spoken in the liturgy every
The sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. Have this kind of
faith is what the Church wants for you.
Note also that healing was not achieved solely on the basis of
in the faith of that Centurion. Jesus said the word in verse 13
that completed the healing requested by the Centurion.
In the same way, Jesus completed the healing of the Canaanite.
woman in verse 28 of the second Scripture in footnote 69:
“21 Jesus left there and went to the
shores of Tire and Sidon.“22 And behold, a woman from Canaan came out of it
shores, and cried out to him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord,
you son of David; my daughter is very upset with a
Devil.23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and
she begged him, saying: Send her away; because she cries out for us.“24 But he answered and said: I am not sent but to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.“25 Then she came and fell down before him, saying, Lord, help me.
“26 But he answered and said: It is not advisable to take the
children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.“27 And she said, Lord, the truth; however, the dogs eat of the crumbs
that fall from the table of their masters.28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is he
your faith: be with you as you want. And your daughter
he was healed from that very hour. ” [Matt 15:21-
28]
Notice how verse 25 indicates that he worshiped Jesus. That
It would certainly be a good idea to increase your adoration of our
Lord as we seek healing for ourselves.
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This is part of a FREE 23 page document, Faith Healing
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which
can be found in Cooperation between Christian denominations
section of the Independent Christian website.
I do not speak for the Catholic Church but for the Catechism of the
The Catholic Church (CCC) does. I quote the CCC and follow the
footnotes that are often linked to scripture. I suggest the
reader have both the CIC and your Bible available and see
if my representations are correct.