On the seventy-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Father Gerard Sloyan (1919-2020) said: “To me, faith is all important.” Father Sloyan was born in the Bronx, New York, raised in Red Bank, New Jersey, and educated at Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary, and the Theological College of the Catholic University of America. Although Father Sloyan was ordained for the Diocese of Trenton, he served most of his priesthood in academia as an administrator, scholar, and teacher at Temple University, Georgetown University, and the Catholic University of America.

It was at Catholic University that I encountered Father Sloyan. Although I was studying politics, he was well-known to many of the graduate students who lived and ate their meals in Caldwell Hall. He seemed like a gentle, kind man. He had an infectious smile. He lingered after meals in the dining hall, talking with colleagues and students alike. I was blessed to hear him preach a few times during Mass and to hear him lecture about the Gospel of John shortly after the publication of his book, What Are They Saying About John? Years later, in a scripture course, I read his book called Interpretations: John, which is part of series of commentaries about every book of the bible.

In this challenging study of the Gospel of John, Father Sloyan writes in some depth about the Bread of Life Discourse that we hear proclaimed this week at Sunday Mass (John 6:24 -35). He makes clear that various religions use the figure of a person or a teaching as spiritual nourishment. In our tradition, Jesus is that person. He is the Word of God. He feeds and nourishes those who approach him, those who believe in him. In this way, our faith forms our most basic and vital connection with the Lord. Other things, such as good works, are important, but as Father Sloyan once said: “faith is all important.”

In this same commentary, Father Sloyan scolds preachers who turn this first portion of the Bread of Life discourse into a catechesis on sacramental theology. It’s not really about the Sacrament of the Eucharist, he argues, it’s about faith. He writes that Saint John’s primary point is that in order for us to experience the “new life” of heaven, we must be sufficiently nourished. “This nourishment is strong and intimate faith in the person of Jesus (73).” This faith is rooted in belief, trust, and perseverance. An abiding faith is the “absolute condition” that leads to all other aspects of the Christian life — prayer, good works, and belief in the real presence of Christ at work in the sacraments.

Without faith, each of us is like a compass without a true north. Left to our own devices, our compass needle spins, wavers, and often settles on turning ourselves, some thing, or some behavior into an object of worship. But with faith, we are never alone, never without hope, never hungry, never thirsty, never lacking in a shoulder to lean on. If we culti- vate a real relationship with Jesus, he becomes not just the object of our faith, but a part of our hearts, a part of the core of our being. He becomes the bread of life. He becomes our friend and brother; our merciful redeemer and savior. So, when Father Sloyan says that “faith is all important”, he offers us the timeless wisdom a long priesthood, a long career in scholarship, and the insight that comes with a long life, lived well as a person of deep and humble faith. Now more than ever, this seems like a good place to start.

Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com

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