Faith

Composed by: Sr. Catherine of Siena

"Faith in the Old Testament is rarely mentioned."  Its essential component is trust in God" (St.  Joseph NSB).  Thus Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Gal.3:6).  There is justification by faith (St. Joseph NSB).
 
"In the New Testament, faith holds a predominant place.  Jesus requires faith in Himself, which presupposes the acceptance of His message and trust in the person of the Master" (St. Joseph NSB).

"Jesus answered and said to them, "this is the work of  God, that you believe in the One He sent" (John 6:29) NSB.  For St. Paul, faith is the chief element of his teaching and the key to Salvation.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.  It is the  power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  for Jews first, and then Greeks (Romans 1:16) NSB.

The Profession Of Faith:  "I Believe"  -  "We Believe"
 
"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (Romans10:17) NSB: 

"I pray not only for them (the ones the Father had given Him) but also for those who will        believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in Me and        I in You, that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me"       (John  17:20-21)NSB.

Then there's a longing or wish to know God.  The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to Himself " (CCC 27).  "Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."  Although man can forget or reject Him, He never ceases to call every man to seek Him, so as to find life and happiness."  But this search for God demands of man every effort of intellect and a sound will, "an upright heart," as well as the witness of others who teach him to seek God" (CCC 30)