I was always told that I should be grateful for the Faith. I felt that 'faith' was about knowing Catechism answers. That, did not make me feel good. It was much the same in the Seminary. Now I see faith as a mysterious gift of love, rather like falling in love. I got mixed up, I think, between knowledge and heart. St.Paul says it well, that knowledge leads to self importance, love makes growth. Faith, now, to me, means God, The Father’s unconditional love for all... that God loves us to bits, even when we fail seven times a day. This seems unreasonable, because our world is so often full of 'ifs'... if you are suiting my needs, then I will accept you... God’s only condition is love. In God’s great Love Story, Jesus, The Samaritan, sees a wounded person. Others see rules, that made them pass by. The Samaritan put heart, before head. St.Therese of Lisieux, is the Saint of God’s unconditional love. God is my lift, she says. I am too weak to merit. The kingdom of God is given , not achieved. The Mass fuels our faith, because it is The Heart of Love, reaching out to all humanity.

Liam Hickey, St.Ciarans, Hartstown, Dublin 15.