Why do I need ongoing faith formation?
We cannot live according to a faith we do not understand. “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” — 1 Peter 3:15
The lay apostolate requires us to make decisions, exercise judgement, act responsibly, and help shape the world according to God’s Will. To do this well, we must be led by the Holy Spirit, know the Teachings of Christ, and understand what authentic Christian Faith and Tradition teaches.
Faith formation is not only for children or new converts. It is a lifelong responsibility. As our responsibilities grow, so too should our understanding of God, the Church, the human person, morality and the Christian life.
Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” — Matthew 28:20). The Church continues this mission through the transmission of the faith.
Ongoing faith formation helps us recognise God’s Will and gives us the confidence to live it. More importantly, good formation informs and forms our conscience. Without a well-formed conscience, we cannot choose to do the right thing that we ought to do.
“Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.”
“The education of the conscience is a lifelong task.”
“In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path; we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice.”
For this reason, not all formation is equal.
We should be discerning about where we seek formation and whom we allow to influence our thinking.
Formation guided by the Holy Spirit will strengthen our ability to recognise and do God’s Will, and prepare us to exercise our lay apostolate responsibly.
Formation that leads us away from the way, the truth and the life to which God has called us hinders rather than helps our mission.
