Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I recently read an article in the Dayton Daily News entitled “Some couples want to leave God off wedding guest list.” According to the author, in the state of Ohio a wedding celebrant must be ordained in a religion. Some individuals are pursuing a change in legislation that would allow people without any religious affiliation to perform a wedding. One couple promoting this idea stated that if God had been mentioned as part of their ceremony, it would betray how they live their lives- without a belief in God or any type of religious practice.
When I read today’s reading, I wondered how my life would be if I did not have faith. Where would I find the wisdom, the strength and the peace to move forward in my daily activities? What would it be like if God was absent not only from my marriage, but my family, my work, and my daily living? What would my life be like if there was no God and no faith life that molds my existence?
In the readings, Jesus illustrates the power of faith as He cures the young man “possessed with a mute spirit.” “If you can do anything” the father of the boy pleads, and Jesus responds “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” I believe that the father’s response, “I do believe help my unbelief!” is a phrase shared by many faith filled people. Faith is this deep seated belief that Someone (God) can do what seems impossible. In some ways it is like jumping off a ledge and believing that the net underneath will securely brace your fall and protect you from harm. This faith in God deepens over time as you continue to trust and jump knowing that God will be there no matter what. Jesus instructs His disciples that prayer is necessary to strengthen our faith. It is through our openness to God and His Spirit that we receive the grace we need to step forward in faith to do God’s will.
Our prayer not only deepens our faith, but it allows us to be open to God’s Spirit. In the first reading from Sirach, the author describes the wisdom of God and its vastness. It is this wisdom that God “poured upon every living thing according to his bounty; he lavished her upon his friends” When we come to God in prayer, we allow Him to pour His Spirit upon us. It is this Spirit that deepens our faith in God’s love. With this conviction in God’s mercy, we can continue to step forward believing that He is always at our side. Our faith gives us the courage to move ahead, and God’s wisdom shows us where to go.
To think about a life without faith and without God seems frightening and overwhelming. How would I know that there is hope for my future unless I believed that God is actively working in our world? It is my faith in Jesus and His teachings that gives me purpose, guidance and inspiration. It is my faith community that helps me when I cry “help my unbelief” as they support me and love me through the challenges of life. When I am open to God’s wisdom in prayer, I am given aid for discerning how to think, talk and act as His disciple. A life without faith in God and His love would be one I cannot (and would not) want to imagine.
I do not judge those people who live without God, and pursue a wedding that God is not invited. I imagine that these are good people who find meaning and purpose in other things. But I suspect that many of the things that bring them hope, peace and joy are actually God’s expression of His care for them- they just may not realize His presence or they may be hesitant to name God as the source of these blessings. As Christians, we are called to share our faith not by preaching, but by helping others to see God in the details of life. It is through our love, our hope, our joy, our peace that we can allow others to see and name God here on this earth. This is the best way that we can live our faith and can share this faith for others to live as well.
"Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus who shows us Your love. Send down Your Spirit, so we may have the wisdom to live lives of deep faith and share Your Presence and Your love with others. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
- Marylynn Herchline