Faith is real, concrete and down to earth. It's not just a feeling or emotion.

by Benjamin O'Loughlin, LC | Source: www.FormationToolbox.com

Christmas is over. But not just for us. For Jesus, Joseph, and especially Mary, who's already changed 17 days worth of diapers. Yes, Baby Jesus wore diapers... and Mary had to change them.

That's what I call faith. Not that changing diapers is anything special. I'm the oldest of 6, and as a kid I put in my fair share of hours changing siblings' diapers.

Mary changing diapers is faith because there are few things more real, concrete and down to earth than the smell of freshly - or not so freshly - dirtied diapers.

Faith is real, concrete and down to earth. It's not just a feeling or emotion. Mary believed the angel. Mary said yes. And Mary ended up changing diapers. Mary's faith had a real impact on her life, every day. Like Pope Benedict said yesterday, Jesus lived in our world. In your world.

The Son of God ... grew up in a family, had friends, he formed a group of disciples, he instructed the apostles to continue his mission, he completed the course of his earthly life on the Cross. This mode of action of God is a powerful stimulus to question the realism of our faith, which should not be limited to the sphere of feelings and emotions, but must enter into concrete existence, that is to touch our lives every day and direct them in a practical way.

Mary believed. Do you?

Click here for the Pope's complete audience.

Benjamin O'Loughlin writes for www.formationtoolbox.com

This Catholic Formation Service is also available by e-mail.

To subscribe please write to: editor@formationtoolbox.com

Click Here to Donate Now!

Join the new media evangelization. Your tax-deductible gift allows Catholic.net to build a culture of life in our nation and throughout the world. Please help us promote the Church's new evangelization by donating to Catholic.net right now. God bless you for your generosity.