The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” – St. Augustine
As Catholics, we are called to believe so that we may understand. Even when, and most especially when, that which the Churches teaches is difficult. The Most Holy Trinity is one of these teachings. This doctrine prompts such questions as, “How can three divine persons be One? And why would it be this way? What if I cannot wrap my head around it?” This, along with many other teachings of our Catholic faith are hard to understand, to accept, and to live by. I know this was the case for me.
Growing up in the faith, I struggled to understand why God asked us to do, or not to do, so many things, thinking to myself, “Why must we follow all these rules? How can I possibly be happy living the Catholic life?” I did not have these answers, nor did I seek them. Because of this, through high school, college, and as a young professional, I cast my faith to the side, thinking that a worldly lifestyle would bring me fulfillment. But as C.S. Lewis so eloquently tells us, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy,” and that was me. I tried everything else, and ultimately, I was miserable.
It wasn’t until about four years ago that through my brother- and Our Lady- I began to seek belief. My brother could see how unhappy I was, and after praying for me for quite some time, he was able to convince me of the power of praying the Rosary daily. And not just five decades, but all 20 mysteries every day. It was Our Lady and her Rosary that helped me to believe again. She gave me a burning desire for Our Lord, to receive Him in the Eucharist, and to spend time with Him in adoration. She ordered my mind to Christ and showed me that truly we must first believe that we may understand, and that we are not called to fully understand it all, thanks be to God! But we are called to have faith, and in return for this faith, God reveals Himself to us, that we may come to understand Him.
When you come to a teaching you find difficult to understand or accept, do not become discouraged or disinterested. Instead, first remember that the Christian life is hard, for as G.K. Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Then, seek to love Our Lord, and always lean on Our Blessed Mother to do so, that she may raise you in this life as she raised her Son, so that He may raise you on the last day.
Keenan Annicchiarico is a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston going into his second year of formation. As someone converted to a life with, in, and for Christ through the hands of Mary, he seeks to share his devotion to her and her Most Holy Rosary with as many people as he can. Ad Jesum Per Mariam! Check out his testimonial here!