5 Lessons from Lumen Fidei

Pope Francis just released his new encyclical The Light of Faith, (Lumen Fidei), with the writing collaboration of Benedict XVI. In the encyclical he does not treat faith as if it is a magical solution to the difficulties of human existence. Life with faith is still dark and difficult at times, and often mysterious. But this encyclical teaches us that faith is nevertheless powerful and “capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence” (4). 

Everyone should read this encyclical; it is not just for Catholics, but for all Christians, for people of all religions, and any open-minded seeker wanting to understand the concept of faith and the impact it has on a person’s worldview.

I share with you five lessons I drew from reading Lumen Fidei in the hope that they encourage you to read (or reread) this amazing work and discover your own…

1. Spiritual But Not Religious Smackdown: This encyclical is a “spiritual but not religious” smackdown, or as close as a pope can get to writing a smackdown. If you have faith in God, faith in Jesus, then an individualist approach to faith is not an option. Faith and community, faith and Church, faith and sacraments belong together. Pope Francis exhorts us: “Faith is not a private matter, a completely individualistic notion or a personal opinion” (22). In fact, he writes “It is impossible to believe on our own” (39). He also strongly points out that “faith … needs a setting in which it can be witnessed to and communicated, a means which is suitable and proportionate to what is communicated” (40).

2. Don’t Be an Idol Worshipper: You might think being agnostic or atheist can save a person from being an idol worshiper, but Pope Francis says no. Faith saves us from idolatry. Pope Francis speaks about the fragmentation that occurs when we do not orient our life fundamentally in God:  “Once man has lost the fundamental orientation which unifies his existence, he breaks down into the multiplicity of his desires; in refusing to await the time of promise, his life-story disintegrates into a myriad of unconnected instants. Idolatry, then, is always polytheism, an aimless passing from one lord to another” (13). 

3. Emaciated Religious Liberty is NOT Religious Liberty: Pope Francis does not speak of religious liberty explicitly, but I think this encyclical is a clear explanation as to why a religious liberty that is limited is not religious liberty. Faith is something that defines a person’s existence. Pope Francis writes, “[Faith] modifies all our relationships, our place in this world and in the universe” (42). The concerning tendency in society to insist religious people need to check their faith at the door of their workplace or any public square simply does not comprehend the all-encompassing nature of faith. Faith is not a hobby. It is also something that benefits society. The pope writes: “[Faith] does not simply brighten the interior of the Church, nor does it serve solely to build an eternal city in the hereafter; it helps us build our societies in such a way that they can journey towards a future of hope” (51).

4. Faith is Not a Free Pass to be Pompous: Rather than making us sure of ourselves, faith helps us put our trust in God and illuminates our existence and all our relationships. In fact, the word “relationship,” referring to relationship with God and with others, occurs 22 times in the encyclical. The pope writes, “[Faith] also sheds light on every human relationship because it is born of love and reflects God’s own love.” (50). In other words, with the eyes of faith everyone is connected to us in love; there are no “others” in faith, no us vs them. As Christians, the pope reminds us that everyone is our brother and sister, even those who do not have faith because “anyone who sets off on the path of doing good to others is already drawing near to God” (35). Is this the attitude of our hearts?

5. Back to the Future: No, the pope does not mention Marty McFly in this encyclical, (I know you are disappointed), but he repeatedly refers to both the past and the future. The light of faith comes to us from the past, from before time even began. Faith comes from God who is a “primordial source.” In fact the word “primordial” appears in the encyclical 10 times. We see the phrases “primordial love,” “primordial experience,” “primordial source” and “primordial fire” peppered throughout the encyclical. But the word “future” also appears 20 times in the encyclical. Faith comes from the past, inasmuch as it comes from God himself, but it also illuminates our future. The pope writes: “On the one hand, [faith] is a light coming from the past, the light of the foundational memory of the life of Jesus which revealed his perfectly trustworthy love, a love capable of triumphing over death. Yet since Christ has risen and draws us beyond death, faith is also a light coming from the future and opening before us vast horizons which guide us beyond our isolated selves towards the breadth of communion” (4).

Ok, so now all ya’ll need to read this encyclical and find your own lessons and practical applications. Feel free to share in the comments the lessons you have learned from Lumen Fidei. And I dare you to incorporate an awesome 80s movie classic reference because everything is better with 80s movie references.

1. You can read the encyclical online for free right here.

2. The Daughters of St. Paul, (my sisters), have hard copies as well as the downloadable digital format available. You can buy your hard copy here and your eBook here.

3. Ignatius Press has a hardcover collectible copy available for pre-order here.