Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith
The word, faith, comes from the Latin fides, although the modern definition as complete trust or confidence goes back to Greek mythology in the form of the goddess Psitis. My sense is that Bon Jovi was being true to his Greek and Roman ancestors when he penned the lyrics to the song. He was also exploring the fundamental concept of faith as it was subsequently developed in the Christian tradition. In the Gospel of Matthew we have the teaching Jesus to his disciples in response to their questions as to how he was able heal a boy when they could not. Jesus' retort, "Oh ye of little faith" (one of the most repeated phrases from the New Testament) is followed by:
“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”--Matthew 17:20
Since mustard seeds are very small (approximately 1mm in diameter), the suggestion is clear-- we need only have the smallest amount of faith to accomplish anything. In a cynical world full of doubt and uncertainty, how may we apply and strengthen this virtue without getting caught up in the religiosity that surrounds its modern interpretation?
Allow me to suggest some small experiments that go as follows:
-First, set a good intention (right intention).
-Then, begin and persist (right action and effort).
-Finally, allow circumstances to unfold while knowing that in time your intention will come to fruition despite difficulties or challenges that arise (right view and mindfulness).
Go ahead, give it a try, and...keep the faith.
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