Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
s social life was centered on church or involved relatives and friends who were catholic as well. I barely knew the kids in the neighborhood that went to public school. Looking back now, I can see that is was a bit insular in some respects and I know my parents made the greatest sacrifices to send all of us to Catholic schools, but the benefits far outweighed any shortcomings. Growing up in the context of a strong faith community, having friends who shared the same background and values, and feeling at home there created a sense of security in my life that I do not think I can ever fully appreciate. It is where my faith was born and it is where my faith was fed and nurtured. And all of this was accomplished by individuals working together to create that community of faith.
In today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark, the Pharisees have asked Jesus to perform a sign in order to prove his authority was from God. Jesus declined the challenge to his authority and they argued with him. Verse 12 says, “Jesus sighed from the depths of his spirit…” We can imagine the frustration Jesus experienced with this group of elders and their lack of faith. I began to think about how their attitude affected their respective faith communities. Surely there were people in those communities who had experienced Jesus’ teaching and healings first hand; they must have been deeply confused by the attitude of these elders. In the first reading from the Book of James, the author exhorts the people, when petitioning God, to ask in faith—not in doubt. He likens one who asks while doubting to a ‘wave that is tossed about by the wind’. This brings to mind so many of the Gospel encounters where Jesus says ‘it is your faith that has healed you’. As well, it brings to mind those incidences where healing and conversion is not possible as there is no faith in God. I know what a strong impact it has on me when those close to me have a strong and deep life of faith that they are willing to share with me. I know how often I rely on that witness when I experience times of confusion or discouragement. I also know I sometimes forget how deeply my own faith influences others in my community.
Any grace, any vibrancy, any love, or any worship that takes place in the Eucharist or any activity in a faith community is result the combined strength and sharing of our faith. It is together that we complete the Body of Christ and become full participants in the work of the Gospel. It is together as unified community that we grow our faith. Faith is a gift that is meant to be shared. I pray this day I be granted greater awareness of the opportunities God puts right in front of me to share my faith with those in my community.
"O Holy Father,
You blessed us with our community of faith.
You brought us together in Christ and through Christ for one another.
Grant each and every one of us the grace, this day,
to truly participate in bringing each other to a deeper faith.
And make us aware exactly how we are asked participate
in the Body of Christ to accomplish this.
With the intercession of Mary,
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
-Gail Lyman