Blind belief & faith

I actually managed to get to church yesterday. Second time this year!

The sermon discussed the difference between "blind belief" & "faith".

The former he reckoned is unquestioning belief where everything is accepted hook, line & sinker. The problem with this sort of belief is that, in times of trouble (& they come to us all), they can be easily shaken because there is no basis for the belief. Indeed the whole object of belief is often completely thrown out as it failed to solve the problem instantly.

Faith, however, the priest reckoned, is more akin to doubt. Questions are asked, answers sought. Only then is there belief, faith. This form of belief is strong because so many questions have already been asked & yet the belief has remained. Sometimes the faith has continued despite no answers having been found & yet a certainty in the veracity of the object of faith remains. In times of trouble it survives because, although it may give no instant answers, there is trust that ultimately there will be.

I found this sermon quite reassuring. I sometimes question the strength of my faith, even its reality, yet I never question the reality of God. It's reassuring to know this priest, too, has his doubts, his questions, &, too, his faith.

We're having an interregnum at our church at present. The quality of priest is variable. Most are retired &, one suspects, should remain retired. But this priest I like. He reminds me of Roger Livesey in the film "A Matter of Life and Death". He seems a very amiable man, with little affectation, & yet he also strikes me as a very intelligent man with a deep insight into his fellow mankind. I always come away with some grain to mull over for a while.