To believe that two plus two equals four does not require faith.

It is just something that you notice to be true. It is self-evident.

It is a natural truth and no supernatural input is necessary to see that it is true.

* * *

To know that God exists is another example of the same thing.

The need for a Cause for creation to exist – which exists in its own right and is not itself a part of creation — is also self-evident.

The arguments against God existing are always a little bit more complicated, because they have the disadvantage of being nonsense.

* * *

Yet there are things we need to know about God which are not so obvious.

God wants us to know, not just that he exists, but also that he loves us.

This is something that we do not just notice but must, by an act of free will, choose to believe.

To live as though God is a loving God means, not just a nodding acceptance, but more of a self-giving.

To live as though a loving God has plans for our lives involves taking risks for him.

This is where all true faith is “blind” faith. That is the nature of faith. Not that faith goes against reason. No, it goes beyond reason and gives reason a reason to exist.

As Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi wrote:

“Not to believe in you, O my God, requires more ‘faith’ than to believe in you. Your love for me is so great that I no longer need ‘faith’ to believe in it.”

* * *

Human suffering is sometimes quoted as a reason to doubt God. But is not suffering an opportunity, not to abandon belief, but to put it on a deeper level?

Blessed Mary MacKillop wrote to her mother:

“In the trials, annoyances and anxieties we daily experience, may we ever recognise that loving Fatherly Hand that only seeks to draw us closer to himself by giving us opportunities to suffer something for him.”