Chapter

Our Unbelief

What an unbelieving lot you are! . . . how long

can I endure you? . . . Everything is possible to a
man who trusts. Then the father cried out: I do
believe, help my lack of trust!
(Mk 9:19, 23-24)

Stop murmuring, Jesus told them. No one can

come to me unless the Father who sent me draws
him; I will raise him up on the last day. . .You will
surely die in your sins unless you come to believe
that I Am.
(Jn 6:43f; 8:24)

OPENING

170. Christ, throughout the Gospels, constantly called for faith. Jesus
praisedtheRomancenturionforhisgreatfaith (cf.Mt8:810). Hechided
thosewhoworriedtoomuchaboutfoodandclothingfortheirweakfaith(cf.
Mt6:30).HecouldnotworkmiraclesamongtheNazareansbecauseoftheir
lack of faith (cf. Mk 6:5). On the stormy lake, Jesus asked his terrified
apostles:Whyareyoulackinginfaith?(Mk4:40).AndathisLastSupper,

JesussaidtoPeter:Ihaveprayedforyouthatyourfaithmaynotfail(Lk
22:32).

171. WeknowfromexperiencethatChristianFaithmeetsallkindsof
different receptions among us, and within us, throughout our lives.
Sometimesinourthinkingweputconditionstobelieving,likethedoubting
Thomas: I will never believe it without probing the nailprints in his
hands...(Jn20:25).Atothertimes,ouractionsbelieourfaith,likeSt.
Peters triple I do not know the man (Mt 26:72). Or perhaps in our
trustingandhoping,webegintodoubt,likethedisciplesofJohntheBaptist:
Areyouhewhoistocome,orarewetolookforsomeoneelse? (Lk
7:20).

CONTEXT

172.ThefaithoftheFilipinoCatholictodayisexposedtomanypressures
andtemptationstowardunbelief.OurwholesocialcontextofChristianfaith
andtheChurchhaschanged.Before,Filipinoslivedinamorestablesociety
in which the Church held a dominant position. Unbelief was generally
restrictedtocertainnonpracticingindividualswhowerepursuedpastorally
bytheChurchtoreturntothesacraments. TodayweFilipinosliveina
societyintransition,inwhichmanyreligiousandantireligiousvoicesare
raised throughout the land. Whole subgroups are drawn away from the
CatholicFaith.TheChurchspastoralresponseisfocusedoncreatingnew
parishandChurchstructures,suchasBasic ChristianCommunities, to
communicatetheGospelmoreeffectively.

173.VaticanIIdescribedthisverysituation:

greaternumbersarefallingawayfromthepracticeofreligion.Inthe
past,itwastheexceptiontorepudiateGodandreligiontothepointof
abandoningthem,andthenonlyinindividualcases;butnowadaysit
seemsamatterofcoursetorejectthemasincompatiblewithscientific
progressandanewkindofhumanism(GS7).

174. In the Philippines, our problems of unbelief often result from

overstressingoneessentialdimensionofthefaith,whileneglectinganotherequallybasic
dimension.FundamentalistsarestrongonJesusastheirpersonalSavior,onloveofthe
Bibleandcarefortheirmembers,butarefrequentlyclosedtoCatholictradition,
developmentofdoctrine,sacramentallifeandthewidersocialconcerns(cf.PCPII219,
22328). Activists takeupthethrustforjusticeandidentificationwiththe
poor with such zeal that they find little time for prayer or sacramental
worship.Some Charismatics aresodedicatedtoSpiritfilledcelebrations
thattheserviceofneighborisneglected.Allthreegroupsfrequentlylackthe
balanceandproportionthatisonemarkofauthenticCatholicFaith.

EXPOSITION

175. What, then, are the principal obstacles to authentic Christian Faith in the
Philippinestoday?TheparadoxesofFaithdescribedinChapter3indicatesomeof
them. Faiths certitude and reasonableness can lead some to rationalistic
dogmatism,whileitsobscurityopensothersto superstition.Faithasagift
sometimesinducesabahalanafideism.Stressingthefreedomoffaithhas
ledsometoaselfcentered,subjectivisticfaith.Eventhepersonalcharacter
of faith can be misunderstood to mean private, rejecting any
communitariandimension.

TheobstaclestoauthenticfaithtodayamongFilipinoscanbegrouped
accordingtohowtheytoucheachofthethreebasicdimensionsoffaith
itself:believing,doing,andworshipping.

I.OBSTACLESTOBELIEVING,
DOING,WORSHIPPING

A.Unbeliefvs.Believing

176. InScripture,theproblemofunbeliefamongthepeopleofGod,as
distinct from the idolatry of the pagans, is a constant scandal. Three
principaltypesofnotbelievingcanbepickedoutwhichremainrelevant
today.FirstisthesimpledenialthatGodexists,orthatJesusChristisLord,
theonlybegottenSon.Thefoolsaysinhisheart,ThereisnoGod(Ps
14:1).Whoistheliar?HewhodeniesthatJesusistheChrist(1Jn2:22).
Usually such denials are caused by erroneous ideas about both human
beings and God (cf.CCC2126). Theirexaggeratedideaofbeinghuman
causestheirfaithtolanguish....OthershavesuchafaultynotionofGod
that...theirdenialhasnoreferencetotheGodoftheGospels(GS19).

177. Second, the opposite type of unbelieving is seeking special

knowledgeintoonesfateandfuture.Divination,sorceryandmagic have
alwaysbeencondemned.Lettherenotbefoundamongyou...afortuneteller,
soothsayer,charmer,diviner,orcasterofspells,noronewhoconsultsghosts
andspiritsorseeksoraclesfromthedead(Dt18:1011;cf.CCC211517).
Todaywestillhavefaithhealers,privatevisionariesandthelike,whoplay
upon the credulity of simple Christians and draw them into such
abominationstotheLord(Dt18:12;cf.NCDP136).

178. A third obstacle to Christian believing is the natural self

centerednessorpridethattemptseveryonetoseeanydependenceonGodas
againsthumanfreedomandselffulfillment.Fromthisattitudearisescurrent
skepticism, doubts and incredulity. They say: what modern person
couldpossiblyacceptsucholdfashionedbeliefs!(cf.CCC208889).

Thismindsetisbasedonafalseimage:1)ofGodassomeauthoritarian
Judge,arbitrarilyimposingHiswillonus;and2)ofourfreedomastotally
independentofGod.

Response

179. PCP II has proposed that the basic help we need to face these
challengesisclearlyaRenewedCatechesisthatgroundsrenewalinsocial
apostolateandworship.BasicallythisinvolvesacatechesisthatisChrist
centered,rootedinthelivingWordofScripture,andauthenticallyFilipino
andsystematic (cf.PCPII15664).Theaimistocommunicatethetrue
teachingoftheGospelmessagepresentedinafittingmanner(cf.GS21).
ThebasictruthpresentedinScriptureisthatGodcreatedusfreewith
relativeautonomy.Godwillsourowngood.Butthisinnowaydeniesour
completedependenceonGod.WithouttheCreatortherecanbenocreated
world(cf.GS36).

180.OnlyinseeingeverypersoninrelationtoGodwhoistheauthorand
finalgoalofall,istruehumandignitypreserved.Ourtruedignityrestson
thefactthatwearecalledtocommunionwithGod.AsVaticanIIstated:

Ifweexist,itisbecauseGodhascreatedusthroughlove,andthrough
lovecontinuestoholdusinexistence.Wecannotlivefullyaccordingto
truthunlesswefreelyacknowledgethatloveandentrustourselvesto
ourCreator(GS19).

181.TheRisenChristshowsushowtocarryonarenewedcatechesisin
a fitting manner in his encounter with the two disciples on the way to
Emmaus.Christfirstwalkedalongwiththetwodoubtingdisciples,listening
totheirstory. Second heinterpretedforthemeverypassageofScripture
whichreferredtohim(Lk24:27).Finally,inbreakingbreadwiththem,he
offeredthemthechoiceofbelieving.
SoChristtodayleavestohisfollowershiswordandfoodforthejourneyinthe
sacramentoffaithinwhichnaturalelements,thefruitsofourcultivation,are
changedintohisglorifiedBodyandBlood,asasupperofhumanfellowship
andaforetasteoftheheavenlybanquet(GS38).

182.Insummary,then,Christiandoctrineorteachingisalivingandlife
givingrealitythatdevelopsthroughtheagesundertheinspirationofthe
HolySpirit.Furthermore,believinginChristcanneverbereducedtomere
acceptance of true teaching. For in Christ the believer sees salvation:
Althoughyouhaveneverseenhim,youlovehim,andwithoutseeing,you
nowbelieveinhim,andrejoicewithinexpressiblejoytouchedwithglory,
becauseyouareachievingfaithsgoal,yoursalvation(1Pt1:89).
Thissalvationisapresentreality,affectingeverythingwethink,anddo,
andhopefor,everydayofourlives.

B.Unbeliefvs.Doing

183. But there is a practical atheism that has always been more
commonthananytheoreticalunbelief:Filipinoswholivetheirlivesasif
Goddidnotexist.LiketheHebrewsofold,theydonotaskthespeculative
question:DoesGodexist?Rathertheyareconcernedwiththepractical:
IstheLordinourmidstornot? (Ex17:7) Dowehavetoworryabout
Him?WillGodhurtusinanyway?
ThesepracticalatheistsareindifferenttoGodslove.Thisshowsin
their ingratitude, tepidity andspiritual sloth (cf.CCC2094). Theyfailto
recognizethesignsofGodspresence.Howlongwilltheyrefusetobelieve
inMe,despiteallthesignsIhaveperformedamongthem? (Nm14:11).
Todaythisblindnesscanoftenbetracedtotwogeneralcauses.

184.First,thereisthepragmatic,secularisticmentalitythatmeasuresall
humansuccessintermsofeconomicandsocialemancipation (GS20).
PCPIIspeaksofaprevailingconsumerisminoursociety (PCPII634).
St. John describes the basic abiding causes within each of us our
concupiscenceofthisworldlyview:Carnalallurements,enticements
fortheeye,thelifeofemptyshow __ allthesearefromtheworld (1Jn
2:16).

185. Second,evenmorepertinenttoourPhilippinecontextascausing
unbeliefinbehavioristhepovertyandinjusticeamongus.PCPIIhasstrong
wordstosayaboutthesenationalcausesforoursinfulness:Inthepoverty
andunderdevelopmentofournation,initsconflictsanddivisions,wesee

thehandofhumansinfulness,particularlythegraspingpawsofgreedfor
profitandpower(PCPII266).

186. Greatnumbersofpeopleareacutelyconsciousofbeingdeprived ofthe

worldsgoodsthroughinjusticeandunfairdistribution(GS9).Inthemidst
ofhugenumbersdeprivedoftheabsolutenecessitiesoflifetherearesomewholivein
richesandsquandertheirwealth....Luxuryandmiseryexistsidebyside(GS
63).PCPIIspeaksofhow

theChristianconsciencemustrecoilatthesinscommittedagainstthe
poor:somanyworkersdeniedjustwagestomaintainlivingstandards
ofthefew...somanypoorfarmerstillinglandstheywillneverown
...somucheconomicandpoliticalpowerusedselfishlytoservethe
few...(PCPII267).

187.Suchinjusticeisamajorcauseofunbeliefnotonlyintheexploited
andoppressed,butalsointhosewhocommittheinjustices.Theseexploiters
denyGodinpracticebyrejectingtheGodgivenrightsoftheirvictims.The
oppressed,fortheirpart,cometodenyGodbecausetheycannotseethetruth
oftheChristianvisionandpromiseintheirdailylives.Unbeliefindoing,
then,graduallybecomesa cultural reality forpeoplesufferingwidespread
injustices.

188. Thiscultureofunbeliefcantakeonsystematicforminpoliticalor
economic structures which deny basic human rights. Filipino Marxists
blamereligiousfaithtogetherwithfeudalism,bureaucraticcapitalismand
imperialismfortheproblemsofPhilippinesociety (cf.PCPII265). They
claimthatreligionisasocialpacifier,promisingthepoorandoppresseda
heavenlyrewardiftheyonlyremainsubservientnow.

Response

189. Thehelpprescribedby PCPII tofacethisunbeliefindoingourfaithisa

RenewedSocialApostolatetowardsSocialTransformation (cf.PCPIIDecree
Arts.15;2027;andPCPIIDocument16566;256329).TotheMarxistswereplythat
Christneverpromisedaheavenlyrewardtodonothingfollowers,(thosewhocryout
Lord,Lord).RewardisonlyforthosewhodothewilloftheFather(cf.Mt7:21).

 Genuine Christian Faith, in its ethicalprophetic role, fosters basic

human personal and social values. It shapes the lifestyle of Christians
according to Gospel priorities and authentic human responsibility and
justice.Outsideofsuchfaith,thereislittlethatcancheckthesinofthe
worldwhichremainstheperduring,universalsourceofmansexploitation
ofman.

190.PCPIInotonlypresentsthecurrentsocialteachingsoftheChurchin
amannerrelevanttoourconcretePhilippinesituation.Italsostressesthe
actualwitnessandconcretecontributionsalreadybeingofferedbysomany
individuals,BCCs,NGOs,etc (cf.PCPIIDecreesArt.42,4;andPCPII
Document390).
Besides the material help thus offered, the deeper, more lasting
contributionmaywellbeinshowing goodexample byputtingthefaith
intopractice.Suchgoodexampleisespeciallyeffectivewhenjoinedwith
reliableguidanceanddirectioninessentialChristianattitudesandresponses
totodayschallenges.TheCatholicChurchinthePhilippinescanrightfully
claimtobeespeciallyblessedonbothaccounts.

C.Unbeliefvs.Trusting/Worshipping

191.Inthisthirdareaoffaithworshiponecommonattackcomes
from some contemporary psychologies which charge that religion is an
illusion,aninfantileprojectionofthelostfatherfeature.Theyclaimthatwe
inventafathergodtoprovidesecurityagainstourfearsinthishostileworld.
ConsequentlytheyattackthegroundforChristianHope,thusleadingsome
todiscouragementandeven despair. Othersaretemptedto presumption:
eitherpresumingonhumancapacitiesalone,orondivinemercywithout
repentanceandconversionofheart(cf.CCC209192).

192.PCPIIpresentsanoppositeformofunbeliefrelativetoworship.
InthePhilippinesworshiphas,unfortunately,beenoftenseparatedfrom
thetotalityoflife.Theliturgyisnot seenasthesourceandapexofthe
Churchslife.Ratheritisseenasonedepartmentoflife,withoutanintimate
connectionwithsocial,economicandpoliticallife(PCPII167).

Itisalsotruethattoooftencertainpopularpiouspracticesandcustomsmay
appear more like superstition and selfcentered, privatized attitudes than
authenticChristianprayer.

Response

193. Thewaytorespondtounbeliefattacksagainstfaithasworshipis
obviouslyARenewedWorship(cf.PCPII16781).ThePlenaryCouncil
prescribedoneaspectoftheneededremedy:

ThereisanurgentneedtostresstoFilipinoCatholicsthatthewhole
oflifemustbeanactofworship,asSt.Paulpointsout(cf.Rom12:1).
WecannotworshipGodinourchurchesandshrines,andthendisregard
Himinthedailybusinessoflife(PCPII168).

194. Renewingtheworshipofourpeoplerequiresrenewingtheir prayer

lifeandpopularreligiouspractices.Regardingthelatter,PCPIIcounselsthat

ourattitudehastobeoneofcriticalrespect,encouragementandrenewal.These
practicesmustleadtotheliturgy.TheyhavetobevitallyrelatedtoFilipinolife,
andservethecauseoffullhumandevelopment,justice,peaceandtheintegrityof
creation.Wemusthavethecouragetocorrectwhateverleadstofanaticismor
maintainspeopleinfantileintheirfaith.

Yet,itadds,atthesametime,seeinghowmanyofourpeoplecherishthese
religiouspractices,wemustusethemasvehiclesofevangelizationtoward
worshipinSpiritandtruth(PCPII175).
Nowthebasisforrenewingourprayerlifeandreligiouspracticesis
surelytheChurchsTrinitarianprayer.

195. Trinitarian Prayer/Worship. The function of the Church is to

renderGodtheFatherandHisIncarnateSonpresentandasitwerevisible,
whileceaselesslyrenewingandpurifyingherselfundertheguidanceofthe
HolySpirit(GS21).ItistheCatholicworshipofFather,SonandSpiritin
theChristiancommunitythatcanmosteffectivelypurifyandhealourprayer
of illusion and individualistic selfcenteredness. For Trinitarian prayer
callsusawayfrominauthenticfaithseekingprivatesecurity,tooutgoing

selfgivinginsharingChristsandtheChurchssavingmissionofloving
service.
Thisishowallwillknowyouformydisciples:yourloveforoneanother
(Jn13:35) shownintheserviceofeachoneofmyleastbrothers (Mt
25:40).

196.Christianprayer,then,isnochildishprojectionofafatheridolora
BabyJesusservingasescapeimagesfromthepainofgrowthandloveinthereal
world. Secular psychologys objection actually touches the abuse of
religiousfaithratherthanitsauthenticreality.GenuineChristianprayerand
hopearebased,rather,onmaturepersonalrealizationofGodsPRESENCE,
andourconsequentgratitude,thanksgiving,adorationandloveofHim.

197. Trinitarian prayer draws theCatholic Filipino,bytheindwelling

HolySpirit,intosharingChristsownexperienceof Abba,Father,whose
willbedoneonearthasinheaven (LordsPrayer). Beingrootedinthe
Churchs worship of Father, Son and Spirit, the Catholic Filipino is
motivated to the greatest social responsibility, inspired by the Trinitys
infiniteinterpersonal,creative,andredeeminglove.FilledwiththisLove,
CatholicstogetherintheliturgyrespondwitharesoundingAmen!tothe
finaleofalltheEucharisticPrayers:

Throughhim[RisenIncarnateSon],withhimandinhim,
intheunityoftheHolySpirit,
allgloryandhonorisyours,AlmightyFather,
foreverandever.

198. Trinitarian prayer can also help Filipino Catholics in the inter
religiousdialoguediscussedinPCPII.WhilethePlenaryCouncilfocused
on the principles for the evangelizing mission to Filipino Muslims,
Buddhists,Taoists,etc, (cf.PCPII11015), itimpliedthelargermission
extendingtoallourfellowAsianswhofollowthegreattraditionalreligious
culturesoftheEast.
Commitment to Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, grounds the
ChristiandialoguewithbothMuslimandJewwhoalsorevereGodsWord.
TheBuddhistgoalisreleasefromallhumandesiresintothesilentstillness
ofNirvana.ThisrelatestotheChristianworshipofthe Father,whomno

onehaseverseen(Jn1:18)andwhomChristianmysticshaveexperienced
asnothing,nothing,nothing...of ourworldlyconsciousness. Finally,
Advaitan HinduismcanbeapproachedthroughtheChristianexperienceof
theHolySpirit,thesourceofonenessbetweentheselfandGodwhodraws
allmentogreatercommunioninlove.

II.OBSTACLESTOBELIEFINSELFBECOMING

199. Besides the obstacles to authentic faiths three basic objective

dimensions(what webelieve,doandworship),otherstouchthe subjective
factors(howwebelieve,doandworship)inournaturalprocessofmaturing
intheFaith.Worthyofnoteisthecommonmisconceptionamongmany
Filipinoyouththatquestioninginmattersoffaithissinful.Thisarises
fromafalseview,commonlyinstilledbygoodintentionedbuterroneous
religiousinstruction,thatfaithissomethingtobesimplyacceptedfrom
higherauthorities.Inactualpractice,sincethisviewismostoftenimbibedin
childhood, it later becomes an easy excuse for not taking personal
responsibilityforonesownreligiousconvictions.

Response

200.WhathelpsthemosthereisourongoinginitiationintotheChristian
Faith involving the active participation of family, friends, BCCs, parish,
Catholic community, etc. Christ and the Church call us to intelligent
discipleship,inwhichweuseallourfacultiesofmind,will,imaginationand
affections.
Wemustclearlydistinguishbetweentwodifferentmindsets.Thefirst
is honest questioning that seeks through personal study, reflection and
dialogue,toknowourLordbettersowecanloveHimmoreardentlyand
follow Him more closely. The second is a selfcentered attitude of real
doubting,when,likedoubtingThomas,weputpriorconditionstobelieving
inGod(Iwillnotbelieveitunless...[Jn20:25]).

201. Our life of faith challenges us to constant growth in religious

understanding,moralvisionandpractice,andauthenticprayer.Thisismade

possible for us when we are strengthened and confirmed by our fellow

CatholicsunitedinthelocalChurch,Christsowncommunityofdisciples.

INTEGRATION

202.TheExpositionhasshownthatchallengestoauthenticfaithcanarise
from anyof itsthreebasic objectivedimensions ofdoctrine,moralsand
worship.TheobstaclestouchFaithpreciselyaslivedoutinourparticular
personalandsocialenvironment.WeareFilipinosofthe20thcentury,living
inaspecificeconomic,political,social,cultural,andreligiouscontext.The
challengestoauthenticfaithforustakeonverydefinitefaces.Itisin
courageouslyconfrontingthesetogetherinourChristiancommunitiesthat
werespondtothelovingcallofChristourLord.

203.IfwedonotbelievebasicCatholicdoctrinewecertainlywillnot
bemotivatedtoobeyfundamentalCatholicmoralprinciples,norparticipate
meaningfullyinCatholic worship.Whether because of pride,distrust,or
indifferentnegligence,wewillnotcommitourselvestotheserviceofothers
forChristssake,norbeconcernedforauthenticworshipofthelivingGod
revealed by Jesus Christ. Thus, rejecting belief in God, Christ and the
Churchinvolvesmanyevilconsequencesforindividuals,families,andthe
communityatlarge.

204.SoweaskGodtohelpforourlackoffaithastheonlymeansof
cominggraduallytothetruthofourselves,ofothers,andofGod,inour
thoughts,ourmoralacts,andourprayer.OnlyinChristandtheSpiritcan
weperseveringlyrespondtothechallengesoflifeinChristtoday.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

205.Doeseverybodyhavefaith?
Everyonehasnaturalfaith,believinginsomethingorsomeone.
BelievinginGodisGodsgiftwhichHeofferstoeveryoneindifferent
ways.Godwantsallmentobesavedandcometoknowthetruth(1
Tim2:4).
Butexperienceshowswecanmisuseourhumanfreedomandreject
Godsoffer,orturnawayfromGodthroughsin.

206.WhatchallengesconfrontourlifeoffaithinChrist?
OurlifeoffaithinChristischallengedby
ourownprideandsinfulselfcenteredness;
thepoverty,sufferingandinjusticeofsomany,contrastedwiththe
indifferenceandbadexampleofothers;
religious ignorance, misrepresentation of the Gospel, onesided
practices,and
atheisticdoctrinesandconsumeristattitudesandvaluespervading
ourenvironment.

207.Howisfaithhinderedbyonesidedpractices?
ExaggeratedstressononedimensionoftheFaithtendstomisrepresent
thatverydimensionandignoretheothers.
IfFaithisreducedtoonly:
doctrine,aninsensitiveprayerlessdogmatism,outoftouchwithreal
life,oftenresults;
anactivistthrustforjustice,faithcanbecomeanideological,unjust
pursuitofonesownends;
prayers,devotions,andchurchgoing,faithbecomesasubstitutefor
realpracticalChristiancharity.

208.Whoaretodaysunbelievers?
Unbelieverstodayare:

eitherpracticalatheistssointentonacquiringriches,reputationor
powerthattheyhavenotimeforGod;
orotherswhoclaimspecialknowledgeandpowerfromGod,beyond
theordinary.
NeitherrepresentauthenticChristianFaithinJesusChrist.

209.Howcanwerespondtodoctrinalunbelief?
We need a renewed catechesis in the truth of the Christcentered
Gospel,callingustorespondinChristianserviceofourneighborand
authentic worship of our loving Father in Spirit and truth, in the
Christiancommunity.

210.HowcanwerespondtotheunbeliefofNOTdoing?
A renewed social apostolate shows the essential human value of
followingChristtodayinconcreteserviceofthepoorandoppressed
thatleadstowardsocialtransformation.

211.HowcanwerespondtotheunbeliefofNOworship?
PCP IIs call for a renewed worship means helping all Filipino
Catholics to truly understand Christian worship of God our Father,
throughChristHisSonmademan,intheirHolySpirit.
Itmeanslearningtointegrateourpersonalpopularreligiositywiththe
Churchsliturgicalworship.ThisisachievedonlyifweworshipGodin
faith, byrelatingpersonallytoJesusChristasmembersofHisBody,
theChurch,andnotmerelygoingthroughsomeexternalrituals.

212.Whathelpsusrespondtothechallengesoffaith?
Wecanrespondadequatelytothechallengesoffaithonlythroughthe
HolySpirit, workingwithinus;throughourfamilyandfriends,and
through the Churchs teaching and its sacraments, especially the
Eucharist.

213.Howdowegrowinfaith?
We grow in our Catholic faith by deepening our understanding of
Christssavingmessage (believing),bydoingthetruthinChristian
service, and by celebrating in authentic prayer and sacramental
worshipthroughChristintheHolySpirit.


214. HowcanwehelpthosewhosincerelydoubtandquestionChristian
faith?
Wecanhelpthosewhodoubtaboutfaithby:
clarifying the very act of believing, through common examples
drawn from their own interpersonal relations in family life and
friendships;
explainingthechieftruthsofourfaith(theCreed)andhowtheyare
livedinChristianmoralvaluesandsacramentalworship;and
showingthemhowtheChristianFaithgroundsanddevelopsbasic
Filipinoculturalvalues,bothpersonalandsocial.

215.DoesChristianFaithchange?
ThebasictruthsofChristianFaithremainbutas living and vital,not
staticanddead.Asliving,authenticFaithisconstantlyledbytheSpirit
torespondtothenewchallengesintheworld,withnewexpressions
andnewemphases,preciselyinordertoremainfaithfultotheabiding
truthoftheGospel.
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