Tea at Trianon: The Comfort of Faith

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

The Comfort of Faith

I am in the middle of a twenty year argument with a relative (on the Irish side) who claims that religious belief is merely a comfort for those who are afraid to face the void. No. Faith is not comfortable, although it has its moments. I do not believe what I believe because it is a comfort. I believe what I believe because of the overwhelming reality of revealed truth. To deny what has been revealed by God through the Church would be foolish and insane for me. To accept it only because it feels good would not be faith but sentimental drivel. To take up the cross means enduring contradictions. It is a lifelong struggle. Yes, there is love, but it is often unfelt. Yes, there is joy, and overall peace, but joy and peace are often hidden guests. Yes, there is hope of heaven, but sometimes heaven seems far away, even when one stands at the threshold. Faith is challenging, for it demands accountability. To believe in Christ requires all of oneself. To believe is to say with Saint Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. But I believe and am convinced that you are the Christ, the Son of God." Share

7 comments:

Unknown said...: About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].

Peace Be With You
Micky; May 3, 2007 at 5:59:00 AM EDT
Terry Nelson said...: The "void" is not void...faith doesn't necessarily allay our fear, rather it supplies the vision to see, the knowledge to know, that the so-called void is not void for God, nor us.

"Abyss calls unto abyss."

The unbeliever, for all of his courage, holds close that fear of the void, by which he ridicules the believer.; May 3, 2007 at 11:35:00 AM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Yes, Terry, I am glad you understand what I was trying to say.; May 3, 2007 at 5:18:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...: I was raised in a non Christian home. We were not raised to be anti-religious, religion simply wasnt discussed.

I have found that since becoming a christian my life has become more difficult, it is not easier it is harder.
Where once if someone offended me I would give them a blistering remark, I now think twice. Where once I would ignore people if they hurt me, I now must practice humility when confronted with an attitude I may find disquieting. But in the face of evil, one must also have the courage to speak up even if it be against popular opinion.

I have found that if you are not struggling with your faith then you have probably accomodated oneself with the worldly.

My faith comforts me most through my own suffering. It is through the Cross I find meaning in my own sufferings and the suffering of others.

Faith to me means to step out into the unknown....known. It is to accept advantage and adversity with equal measure.

If one has become comfortable in their faith, then they are not living it.

I hope this makes sense...Elena thankyou for helping me to ponder this since you posted it up...I couldnt let this go....now I will go and ponder on it some more...

Yours in Christ,

Marie; May 4, 2007 at 2:22:00 AM EDT
Michelle Therese said...: Humph! Teasing believers is the way that unbelievers comfort *themselves*!!; May 4, 2007 at 5:07:00 AM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you for sharing, marie, and expressing it so beautifully.

Yes, Coffee , that is just SO true.; May 4, 2007 at 8:27:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...: Le sentiment n'est pas la source de vérité. Nous cherchons la vérité, et le bon Dieu fournit les réponses. Nous avons besoin d'ouvrir nos oreilles.

Jhesu est Vivant!
de Brantigny; May 4, 2007 at 2:32:00 PM EDT