Trusting Faith

08-11-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

The internet seems to provide so much information that we can easily come to the conclusion that the answer to every question is out there. That is not true. The answers to the most important and the fundamental questions of life are not on the internet. They are not out there. They are in here; can only be found in faith.

Yes, Faith forces us to accept that which is unseen, that which is spiritual.

The readings today challenge us to reflect on this most important aspect of our relationship with God: Faith. They reveal to us the necessity for trusting Faith in God’s promises and providence and also vigilant preparedness for us Christ’s followers to meet our God as Judge and Rewarder, at the time of their death.

However, there are overwhelming evidences of crisis in the life of faith of many Catholics today. Many issues have been identified to be responsible for this which include cruelties of an unjust system, disastrous love-relationship, family tensions, tragic injury or death of a friend. These and many others are seriously wounding the faith of many Catholics today. How then can a Catholic remain steadfast in the midst of all this?

Proper understanding of the profound definition of faith l believe can help us develop a trusting Faith in the Almighty God even when such faith is being challenged. According to the author of today's second reading Faith is "the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen”. To explain this, one understands that Faith is a special form of knowing, as when we know a friend. Faith is taking a step into the unknown and the trusting in God to rescue and save. Faith says that we cannot find the answers ourselves, we have to trust in God even if what we are going through doesn't seem to make sense.

Yes, as a child of God you NEED faith to survive the onslaught of the evil one and be pleasing to God at all times. Some scripture texts will be helpful here:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). The Bible gives us a prime example of this kind of faith with the life of Enoch. That Enoch lived in the increasingly evil world before the flood but he didn’t go the evil way like others. Instead, he ‘walked with God’ and he ‘pleased God’ Gen. 5:24)

Enoch not only believed in the creator God, he believed God would come to earth with ‘ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment’ (Jude 1:14-15) and make everything right.

Here having faith is not just to please God but also for our own good as well. The author of Proverbs explains: "When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov. 16:7). And again Jesus encourages: "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The lesson here is that no matter the storm, it is only if we have faith in God to calm it that we can be vigilant and patient. Abraham’s faith in God eventually brought him serenity and joy. The great patriarch had such trust in God’s promise that it kept him going through life. We are impressed at how Abraham obeyed when God asked him to leave the past behind and launch out into an unknown future.

This is our new challenge in the faith, to leave the discouraging past behind and look up to the future, for greater glory in the Lord.

As we pray for increase in trusting faith, l want you to know that in this life, God will address all the injustices done in your life and that of your family before the end of your pilgrimage here on earth.

Be consoled and have the faith that he will do it, for he is awesome and powerful!

Fr. Julius