Trust and Betrayal

There are so many examples of human betrayal it can be difficult to trust anyone. Some parents abandon their families. Some adults abuse the people in their care. Even the ‘system’ can betray us when corrupt leaders take control. It is no surprise then that so many Christians do not trust the Church. I get that, but why not trust God?

As human beings our life experience is what determines our future. If we have been abused, we believe we will be abused. If we have been betrayed, we expect betrayal. It is natural. It is also an important part of maturity. As we mature, we realize that not everyone will abuse and betray us. We eventually begin to trust others, but ONLY once they have proven themselves. I get that, but why not trust God?

The Lord said, “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Matthew 6:31-34; 7:9-11

Today’s Gospel lesson is chosen precisely to encourage us in the fast which begins today. Fasting is one of the most personal risks we take as Christians. On the surface we can’t believe food has anything to do with our salvation, so why fast?

Simple. We fast to learn to trust God. So many aspects of our life are filled with abuse and betrayal that the only we can learn to trust God is to practice trusting Him. Food, clothing, and shelter are the oldest priorities of human survival. Even having children comes after survival. Fasting is what God has given to us, so He can prove He won’t betray us like so many others have betrayed us.

The Fast of the Holy Apostles is the least known of the fasting periods in the Church. It is not as ‘strict’ as Great Lent and not as popular as the Fifteen Days of August. It is commonly known as a ‘white’ fast, which means we fast from mean and dairy, but eat fish, wine and oil.

Everyone fasts differently, even during Great Lent, but we must all fast. I encourage you to ask your spiritual father how you should fast during this fasting period. He will guide you to have the greatest chances for success. You are also learning to trust your spiritual father by allowing him to guide you.

Ultimately, until we try to trust, we will never trust. Until we give the Church, our spiritual father, and God a chance, we will never trust them. Members of the Church may betray us, but God will never betray us. That doesn’t mean we abandon the Church. It simply means we understand the difference.

If you have been betrayed by a member of the Church, I invite you to consider it wasn’t the Church. It was a human being who is also struggling to trust others and God. We are all in the same boat because we are all in the Church. Our behaviors, good and bad, affect each other as members of the Church.

We all make mistakes. I’ve made my share of them, and I suppose I will make more. I only hope that through all our mistakes, our ups and downs, together we can learn to trust each other, the Church, and God.