Question:
Answer:
The word “faith” can be used equivocally, i.e., in more than one way. It can refer to belief in the truths that God has revealed and that the Church has otherwise proposed for our belief. This understanding of faith is encompassed in the theological virtue of faith (CCC 1814).
However, we also see that the virtue of faith also includes our freely and entirely committing ourselves to God (CCC 1814). So there is an element of trust in faith, which is extended via the theological virtue of hope, whereby “we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises [including his raising us from the dead on the last day], and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817).
Understanding faith as both belief and trust is advanced by the author of the Letter to the Hebrews: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Regarding what we believe as Catholics and how to live our faith, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) provides a thorough treatment to help answer any questions you may have in that regard. The four sections of the CCC are derived from Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The apostles’ teaching regards “The Profession of Faith” section of the CCC, fellowship to the “Life in Christ” section, the breaking of bread to the Eucharist in particular and “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” section in general, and the prayers to the “Christian Prayer” section.
Regarding how we live our faith, a few gospel words from our Lord Jesus Christ are instructive:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (Matthew 6:33).
Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).
And finally a word from St. Paul: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).