Super Faith

Where does our strength as Christians come from? When we have to defend or explain our faith, what is it that allows us to hold on to what we believe and not simply dilute our beliefs to "fit in"? There is a real force behind that ability, believe it or not, and it has a lot to do with the gift of the Spirit that we receive through Baptism and have reinforced through Confirmation. But first, what is it like?

In the Disney film, "Bolt," from last year, the title dog is a "superhero." He has super powers, like a bark that can lay an army out flat, the ability to leap great distances, and highly-tuned ninja skills. Working with his person, Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus), Bolt fights off the bad guys whenever they come. When Penny is kidnapped by the villain, Bolt sets out to rescue her. The problem? Bolt is actually not super. His powers are all Hollywood special effects - they are added by technicians - but he actually believes that he has them.

Over time, as he treks across the country to find her, he meets up with some friends who help him realize that while he might not be a super dog, he is nevertheless courageous and devoted. It is the love he has for Penny that proves to be his strength, and it is that love that finally sees him through and reunites them both.

The grace we get from God is no illusion; it is not a "special effect." It is real. However, as St. Thomas Aquinas points out, "grace builds on nature." Bolt's strength was his relationship with Penny; ours is that relationship with God. It begins with our Baptism, but it must be lived. The strength we show comes from that faith. It comes from Love. We may not be superheroes, but God certainly thinks we are super.