Fresh Dew Media

 27^TH SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: KNOW YOUR FAITH

(Luke 17:5-10)

The Apostles today requests for an increase in their faith. They may have seen a lot of things fine by Christ which they were unable to do, the teachings of Jesus may have been hard to crack in some areas and they needed stronger faith. They may have heard Jesus marvelling at the faith of some people who were not even Jews and requested a faith higher than theirs. Jesus may have said a lot about faith and would sometimes call them men of little faith, thus they needed to be stronger in faith. The importance of faith in their lives so dawned on them that they unanimously asked for an increased faith. Do you even know what faith is and what your faith in God entails?

 

FAITH DEFINED

"Faith is the supernatural gift of God which enables us to assent firmly to all that God has revealed "It is a human response to God who reveals himself (CCC 142). It is a gift given; it is also a gift freely accepted. Hence Jesus would say: If anyone believes, baptise. Thus, the Church does not force people to believe just as Christ never did. It is a gift he offers to those willing to accept it. We are here talking about a free accent, a loving obedience.

Faith is that without which no one can please God (Heb11:6)

Faith is that by which the just man lives (Heb 2:4)

Faith is that which is shown through good works (James 2:20-26).

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

 

SOURCES OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

Our faith as Christians are derived from the revealed truths of God. These are contained in the Sacred Scriptures and the traditions of the Church. The knowledge of and adherence to these as well as making them guides in our Christian living go a long way to enhance our faith in God. Listening to the interpretation of the will of God from competent ecclesia authorities can be seen too as good source of faith since faith comes through hearing the word of God and not of man, of prosperity or of deceit.

 

NOURISHMENT OF FAITH

Like the apostles we should pray that our faith be made stronger. That we become 'fortes in fide' as it were (1pet 5:9). We shall endeavour to fan our faith into flame. This is only achievable if we remain in God as the only force without whom we can do nothing.

* The knowledge of the demands of our faith helps us to be awake so as not to allow the enemy of the faith to pull us down. These are contained in the creed.

* Avoidance of occasions of sin helps to safeguard the faith

* Reading the Sacred Scriptures with the magisterium as guide waters our faith in God;

* Participation in the activities of the Church of whom Christ says: if anyone listens to you he listens to me, if any rejects you, he rejects the one who sent me.

* Keeping away from all bad books from visiting immoral cites etc.

*  Shunning the preachings and teachings of erroneous preachers.

* Carefully avoiding any "church service" against the true Faith which deceives people by saying 'Church is one', 'Church will not take you to heaven' and yet they invite you to come to them and not encourage you to go from where you are to God direct.

* Censor what you hear. Faith comes through hearing. Confusion and disbelief also follow the same medium.

* Total Submission: Faith is nourished by submitting ones will totally to the will of God.

*  Fidelity:  Faith has to be nourished by holistic Fidelity, all-round faithfulness: to God, to the Church, to my community, to husband, wife, children, friends  and so on and forth.

* Constancy: Faith grows when the good we are called to do are done consistently even as ordinary as they may seem.

 

MY FAITH AND OUR FAITH

While professing our faith in the Church we either say: " I believe in God " or " We believe in God". The two are correct. But unfortunately, people have selfish understanding or use of 'I belive'  as what they as individuals believe in not minding if or not it is right. When one says 'I believe', it should never be understood from the perspective of one believing in what he wants to believe. It should be from the standpoint of what God has revealed for us to believe. These are the truths about God, his goodness, greatness and relationship with man which calls for obedience, reverence and worship.

" I believe" is sound as long as what I believe is what God in Christ reveals in the Church for us to believe. It is a true faith if we have welcomed and made ours the faith we  profess as a people without picking and choosing.

We often hear people say:  "I am a Christian. I am a Catholic, but I don't believe in..."

Try to distinguish between when an individual in the Church weather cleric or lay is doing things his own way contrary to the faith of the Church and when the teaching is flowing from the inspired word and tradition which must in turn bring about faith.

The apostles made the request as a group. As a single unit they needed to know the objective and common body of belief devoid of subjective sentiments on which to operate. Jesus made them realize how great they would be if they work with the faith his presence and teaching inspires.

 

SIZE OF FAITH

We may imagine the size of faith to be determined by the ability to speak in tongues, pray for hours non-stop, fast for days, do wonders. Oh no!

Faithfully doing the little things that matter to Jesus in obedience is what makes our faith great: That simple sign of the cross done with devotion, going for confession, attending benediction, going for morning Mass, going for choir practice, attending my group's meetings, being upright in my place of work etc.

Simply believing in the truths revealed by God is the faith that can move mountains. O yes! The mountains of secularism, of evil manipulations and satanic lies, of abracadabra.

Our faith is great when even without what the world of today recognise as miracle we appreciate the greatest miracle of life especially in Christ. Our faith is great when we do not have it all and yet believe that with Christ it is well with our soul.

Jesus asked a question in Luke 18:8 if the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? Faith is one of the three things that lasts. Let our faith be strongly rooted in Jesus Christ the solid rock

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

With the apostles we pray You Oh Lord to increase our faith.

Give us strong and lasting faith that we may never waver in our journey to heaven through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you. (27th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. C)

Rev Fr. Julian O Ekeh