Taken from BlackFive: Remembering an American Soldier (Click Picture for Site)
The American Soldier- An epitome of faith in one's mission
1. As we paid attention to the specific matter of "What is Faith?" we learned both the secular and theological definitions of faith, yet after studying, discussing, and reflecting, my conclusion on the meaning of faith has come to be complete and total trust and belief in someone or something. Faith does not just happen or come to us, it involves a huge risk because what we put our faith in becomes part of who we are as a person. We use our experience and reason to decide what or what not to put faith in, and for those people who truly examine themselves and place their faith wisely, I believe that there are not many people and/or things in which their true faith will be placed. Our faith can help us in several ways, most importantly perhaps by giving us a basis and guidelines on how to live our lives and how to work every day on being better people. We can learn from the example of those before us who were in a somewhat similar position to ours and strive to be like the ones who stood out for the good, in most of our cases, the Saints. I believe that faith involves reason and intellect; being a virtue and a grace, involving our own free response, providing a risk, fully certain, seeking understanding, and ultimately encompassing our full being-mind, body, soul, and spirit.
2. This section has provided many very important lessons to me, and I would have to say that Andy Griffith's definition of faith to Barney and the Jesuit priests' faith in The Mission (1986) are two among many worth keeping very close. Andy Griffith is having trouble with Opie, and when Barney asks how Andy believes Opie's crazy apparent fabrication of some "Mr. McBeevee," Andy replies, "Oh, I don't know, Barn. I guess it's a time like this when you're asked to believe something that just don't seem possible... that's the moment that decides whether you got faith in somebody or not." Then after being asked how he could explain the story at all, Andy replies: "I can't." This model of faith is great for me because I want to be able to have this kind of faith in my kids and I want my parents to have this kind of faith in me. The Jesuits in The Mission also serve as a great example of faith because of their dedication to doing what they each believed Jesus would do when faced with their predicament of either abandoning the mission and saving their order or defending the mission and risk excommunication and destruction of the order. They all do what they see as right and die for their causes. Even though it is a long shot, I would like to have a faith like the Jesuits' faith.
3. Image of Faith
What was the right choice for the Jesuits to make when faced with the predicament mentioned above?
I agree with the Jesuits for sticking with their beliefs of what Jesus would do and for further knowledge I would like to know if there was a right choice, and if so, which one?