ESSAY
THE LEAP OF FAITH

Fr Rodney Kissinger, S.J.

There is something daring and courageous about faith. It is called the “leap of faith,” a leap into the dark, into the unknown. Faith is not the conclusion of a syllogism. It is not subject to proof. Faith is not against reason, it is above reason. But faith is reasonable in the sense that we must have a reason for our faith. Otherwise, our faith could be a purely subjective illusion. We need reasons also to justify the fact that we believe in Jesus and not in Buddha or someone else.

These reasons are called “signs of credibility.” But the sign is not the reality. The signs for Christianity are more than sufficient but they are not compelling. In face of the evidence that 2+2=4 we are not free. We are compelled to believe. In face of the evidence for Christianity we are still free to reject it or accept it. The evidence demands a courageous “leap of faith” into the dark, into the unknown. As a convert I know all about that “leap of faith.” I have experienced it also in the RCIA with the catechumens and candidates.

We are all converts! You may think that you are a “cradle Catholic,” who has been baptized as an infant and you may have lived your early life under the faith of your parents, but the day comes when you have to stand on our own two feet and make that “leap of faith” personally. Until you do that you are a Catholic by association and not by conviction and commitment.

Think of the shuttle on the launching pad at Cape Canaveral. Before blast off all of the directions and systems are outside the shuttle. Then the scaffolding falls away, all of the connections are cut off and then it takes off. Now all of the directions and systems are in the shuttle itself. So it is with us. We are baptized on the faith of our parents and for the early years of our life we live on the faith of our parents. And it is hoped that during this time we are gradually assimilating these truths for ourselves. Then when the apron strings are cut we have to stand on our own two feet, think for ourselves, take the initiative and assume the responsibility for our own actions.

Until we make that personal “leap of faith” we will be constantly looking for more signs, more evidence, more private revelations. Until we make the personal “leap of faith” we will always be disturbed by the doubts which we have seen are an essential part of faith. This doesn’t mean that after we take the “leap of faith,” we will not have these doubts. We will. But we will recognize them for what they are, confirmation that we have the faith.

Until we make the “leap of faith,” until we commit ourselves completely, we will be straddling the fence, with one foot in and one foot out, we will experience all of the burdens and none of the peace, joy and fulfillment of being a Christian.

Until we make the “leap of faith” we can never live the Christian life which flows from conviction and commitment not from indecision. And it is in living the Christian life that we experience the greatest proof of our faith. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Let us ask the Lord to give us this great grace to make this “leap of faith” once and for all that we may reap the rewards of his disciples. That we may believe, behave and begin to become the unique, unrepeatable and indispensable person he created us to be.