Faith

It is the act or habit of accepting as true what another person says, based on their word. It is the most common way of acquiring knowledge. In this way we accept that Napoleon existed, that Mount Everest exists, and that a can of peaches actually contains peaches. We trust what others tell us.

It is the act or habit of accepting as true what God reveals, based on His divine authority.

Human faith is reasonable if the speaker is sincere and knowledgeable about the matter. Supernatural faith is supremely reasonable because it is God who speaks.

The Lord makes Himself understood with unmistakable clarity, and those accustomed to listening to Him do not need special signs. At other times, He confirms His words through miracles that reveal His divine power.

That attitude may be appropriate in specific circumstances or scientific research, but it is not a sound general approach to life, as it would disparage the intelligence and sincerity of others.

No; it is not necessary. Indeed, even when witnessing miracles, one can stubbornly reject the faith, as the Pharisees did during Jesus' earthly ministry. Miracles do not convince where there is bad will.

It suffices to trust sincere and sensible witnesses who have seen them. For example, we know Jesus Christ is God through the abundant historical evidence we possess regarding His life (life of Christ), His teachings, and His miracles.

Through authentic historical testimony. In this manner we know that Columbus crossed the ocean and that Mozart played the piano. The difference is that historical testimonies concerning Jesus are exceptionally abundant and meticulously preserved (gospels).

- In every act of faith there are two dimensions:

• We believe that God's words are true because they proceed from Him.
• And we accept that those words come from God relying on other men who witnessed the miracles with which the Lord accompanies His revelation when He desires to make His divine origin clear.

That is, the Lord speaks to men accompanied by palpable miracles, and those men transmit divine words and deeds. We trust their integrity and accept their words as coming from God, and in turn we place our faith in God and receive His revelations as true. Furthermore, the Lord intervenes from time to time to underscore that it was He who spoke. For example, the miracles of Fatima and Guadalupe confirm the truth of the apparitions of Mary. Likewise, the miracle of Lanciano confirms the truth of the Eucharist, etc.

One can take several concrete steps:

• Above all, humbly ask God for His help. To pray.
• It is also very beneficial to seek the help of people whose lives conform to the faith.
• An essential step is sacramental confession, since sins hinder closeness to God.
• Valuable help also comes from spiritual reading. For example, the biographies of saints have transformed many lives.