Theological Truth: Faith is about the quality, not the quantity; not how much we have but in whom we have it.
Come Holy Spirit and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Have you seen the cartoon of doctor consulting with her patient? After perusing a desk full of medical notes and diagnostic testing, she delivers this professional medical conclusion to the patient: “I see your problem. You’ve been paying too much attention to what’s going on in the world.”
Many of us feel this way right now. The political norms that we’ve relied upon have been obliterated. The institutions we assumed would protect us have been compromised and co-opted. Even the values that have defined us – as both people of faith and citizens of this country—have splintered. While faith has always and appropriately shaped our political views, now it seems more likely that our political views are shaping our faith. Even people of faith are divided on what Christianity looks like and stands for.
In a recent Washington Post column, Shadi Hamid, writes, “There are two forms of Christianity pulling American politics in opposite directions.” (Sept. 29, 2025) He points to the memorial service for Charlie Kirk as the most obvious and recent example. Hamid writes, “Erika Kirk, the slain conservative activist’s widow, delivered the most powerful moment. Standing before a crowd that included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, she channeled Jesus’ words from the cross: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ Then, she applied them directly to her husband’s killer. ‘That man—that young man—I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Jesus did and what Charlie would do.’”
But an alternative Christianity, pulling us in an opposite direction, was also on display. President Trump appeared onstage after Erika Kirk’s comments and said, “[Charlie] did not hate his opponents; he wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” (ibid). President Trump is neither unique nor original in his preference for a dominant, powerful faith; a conquering religion that vanquishes opponents and seeks vengeance against enemies; a forceful faith that can weaponize mulberry trees, and so of course we want more of it. This type of dominating faith is tempting for both those on the left and on the right. But is it the faith of Jesus?
“Increase our faith,” the apostles beg after Jesus tells them that their faith lives will inevitably involve vulnerability and disappointment, discomfort and despair, and, therefore, require ongoing forgiveness. (Lk. 17:1-4). To meet these difficult demands, they ask for a booster shot of faith. But Jesus knows the amount of faith isn’t the problem. Brian Stoffregen points out that we should understand Jesus’ words as saying, “If you have the faith of a mustard seed (and you do).” It’s not a question of quantity, but quality; less a matter of how much they have as who they have faith in and how they’ll use it. The apostles don’t need more faith so that they can clobber their opponents with mulberry trees. They need only follow the faith of Jesus, walking in his way of Love, trusting in the power and purpose of God above all other powers and principalities.
In these anxious, unforgiving, and hate-filled days, the challenge for us –and I do mean ALL of us—is to avoid using our faith as a weapon or a cruel and hate-filled means to a religious end. Christians are to be ministers, not messiahs; disciples, not enforcers. We are to have more than faith in Jesus; we need the faith of Jesus.
What does this kind of faith look like? Our reading from Habakkuk provides insight, hope, and reassurance. Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not familiar with Habakkuk. He’s one of the minor prophets, which is not an insult to his significance but an indication of the length of his writings. There are only three chapters in the Book of Habakkuk, but they speak an important word about faith. In the first chapter he lays out in dialogue with God his complaints about Israelite society, resulting in this lament: “The law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous–therefore judgment (justice) comes forth perverted.” (1:4) Sound familiar? Aren’t we all yearning for justice to be upheld and the rule of law to be honored?
The rest of the first chapter (not in today’s reading) gives God’s response, which is basically, “Ok…I’ll send the Babylonians…they know how to impose law and order.” To which Habakkuk says, “Wait, wait..that’s not what I had in mind!” Then after some more back and forth, we get to Chapter 2 where Habakkuk climbs the rampart and goes to his watch post to wait and see how God will respond. God’s answer comes in the form of a promise for his people: “There is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie.” And then instructions for all faithful people: “If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.” (2:4). There is still a vision. The righteous wait for it, living by faith.
Old Testament scholar, Rolf Jacobsen, points out that if we want to know what this “living by our faith” looks like, we should go to the end of Habakkuk where his lament turns to praise: “Though the fig tree does not blossom and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation.” (3:17-18).
Living by faith means waiting for God’s promise to make all things right. Living by faith means trusting in the power of God’s love made known in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Living by faith means obeying the commandment to love: God, ourselves, and our neighbors by wanting, willing, and working for their wellbeing—even the wellbeing of our opponents and enemies. Living by faith isn’t a life without power, it’s a life that depends on the power of God, rather than ourselves. Living by faith doesn’t mean we wait passively, but it does mean we speak our truth in love.
The angst and urgency of these days makes it very tempting for religious people on both sides of the political spectrum to resort to a faith fueled by the love of power rather than the power of love. This is not the vision of God given in Christ. There is still a vision and hatred and domination aren’t part of it. St. Francis knew about God’s vision. He resisted the powers and principalities of the world that corrupt our faith. Perhaps the prayer attributed to him might help us practice living by the faith of Christ. Let’s turn to page 833 and pray it together:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
