Of Faith and Knowledge 

   “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18: 3) 

   Which is more important, faith or learning?  Both have great value but without faith all the learning in the world will not open the doors to the kingdom of God.

   Children have an innocent faith, a faith that is not based on wisdom but on trust.  They trust that their parents love them and will properly care for them.  This is the faith we need if we are to know and come to have faith in God; as innocent and trusting as the faith of a child.

   Adults, on the other hand, have a difficult time with unquestioning faith.  They find it  hard to have faith in something they can’t understand and that no one can fully explain.  And yet that is the faith that is required; one that places trust in God even when we don’t understand.

   “Blessed is he who knows God, even if he knows nothing else.” (St. Augustine).  To know God is to know love, forgiveness, and mercy.  We can have all the wisdom of the world but if we don’t know God it is of no use, it will not get us to heaven.  God isn’t concerned with our knowledge but of our faith, even if we don’t know the answer to the simplest math questions it is of no consequence to our soul.

   There is nothing wrong with education and learning, it is a good thing and should be sought.  However, if the choice is a brilliant education or complete trust and faith in the God who loves us, choose God.  “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Luke 10:21).