Lord Increase Our Faith

10-06-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

Today the church takes us back to the topic on "Faith” and how it works in our lives. What comes to mind when talking about faith is Thomas Aquinas's great statement as he was quoted to have said: "To one who has Faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without Faith, no explanation is possible.” This statement cannot be less true because Faith is the nucleus of all the entire being of every Christian, and more so as it appeals more to the intellect, according to Vatican II Fathers.

In today's readings we get three dimensions of Faith. The theological virtue of Faith enables us to believe something to be true and therefore worthy of trust simply because it has been revealed to us by God. In his instructions to Timothy, Paul, who elsewhere defined Faith as, “the assurance of the things hoped for,” shows Faith operating as a believing, trusting, loving relationship with Christ. Thus, Faith is our acceptance of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of God. He goes further to stress the need for a living Faith in, and loyalty to, Christ’s teachings handed down to us by the Church. Finally, Christian Faith is that trusting Faith in God in action, expressed by steadfast loyalty, fidelity and total commitment to Him, resulting in our offering ourselves to Him in those we encounter, through our humble, loving service.

The Old Testament also presents Faith as trusting in God and faithfully living out His Covenant with us. Reflecting on the faith relationships of Abraham, Moses and all the Patriarchs with God, one clearly understands that Faith is hope and steadfast expectation in the face of suffering and delay. God assures the prophet in today's first reading that Faith gives us access to Divine power, and, hence, the just will live righteous lives in the midst of encircling evil because of their Faith.

Elaborating on faith as source of access to Divine Power , today Jesus teaches his Apostles that Faith is sharing in God’s power, and, hence, even in small quantities, it allows God to work miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. It is Faith, meaning reliance on, or confidence in, God, which makes one just, putting him into right relation with God and neighbor. While the Apostles ask for an increase in the quantity of their Faith Jesus reminds them, and so us, that the quality of one’s Faith is more important than the quantity. A small amount of deep Faith can accomplish great things if that small amount of Faith is placed in a great, mighty, and all-powerful God. Using a master-servant parable, Jesus also teaches them, and us, that for Faith to be effective, it must be linked with trust, obedience and total commitment.

Indeed, Christian faith can only be known to be authentic and strong if it is shared in loving relationships with others. Faith at times also requires daring and courage. You know, sometimes, it is easy to be faithful and loving to God and to others when everything is going well for us just as it is easy to be loving and kind to pleasant and nice people. But we make so many excuses and we don’t want to perform our responsibilities as believing Christians when things are not okay with us. We don’t want to pray because we don’t have enough time and faith. We can’t be charitable because we’re still selfish. We can’t leave our sins and vices because we are still weak. A strong faith comes with self-confidence and total submission to God's will.

Let us pray for God to increase our FAITH!

Fr. Julius

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