Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Faith, Hope and Love are central to our life as disciples. Today’s scripture readings center on faith and how we are called to believe in God’s promises even in the midst of strife and struggles. Having doubts about what the future might hold is a human tendency, but we can increase our trust in God through the gift of faith. Jesus shows us the perfect example of how to overcome doubts and struggles as He journeys through His passion and death to His resurrection. Jesus shows us that God’s love never ends and this love will always overcome. When we recognize and trust in this great love of God, then we can have faith to keep moving forward, even when the path seems unknown and unsettled.
In the first reading today, we hear about the remarkable faith of Abraham. God sends Abraham to a new land and promises him an heir that will make his “descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.” Despite his old age, Abraham is given his son, Isaac. When God asks Abraham to “offer up” his only son, Abraham has faith that God will provide a way that this son will still be an heir- even if it requires raising him from the dead. Abraham has great faith in God’s fidelity. Abraham does not live to see the promised land or the multitude of his descendants, but his great faith allows Abraham to step forward into an unknown future believing that it will be as God has promised.
In the gospel reading, Jesus is on a boat with His disciples during a violent squall. The terrified disciples wake Jesus from his sleep because they are concerned they will perish. Jesus calms the storm and then asks the disciples, “Do you not yet have faith?” Despite living with Jesus and seeing the many miracles He has performed, the disciples still have doubts about their safety and Jesus’ role as messiah. In the face of impending catastrophe, the disciples are overwhelmed with doubts, but Jesus’ grace and power turn their terror to awe.
The past year has been challenging and has shaken my faith in various ways. This has made me stop to ask, “How can we grow in our faith during these turbulent times?” Faith is a gift- one that God is ready to share if we ask. God does not expect us to “pick ourselves up” and move forward without God’s grace. God helps to increase our faith by assuring us that God will always be with us. As God’s beloved- God is always at our side.
Another way to grow in faith is by reflecting on past experiences where God has been revealed and provided consolation even in the midst of challenges. This helps to remind us that that God has been trustworthy in the past, and therefore God will continue to be present and active in our future. It is God’s revelation of presence and love in the past that helps us overcome the doubts that surround our future.
Finally we can look to Jesus and learn about faith and trust. Jesus was fully human. Even on the cross he had doubts. “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” But even in the darkest moment of Jesus’ life, He is able to have complete faith in God- “Into your hands I commend my Spirit.” Jesus is able to believe completely in the love of the Father, and therefore Jesus can step forward into the future knowing that death and evil will not be the end. Jesus’ great faith in God’s love allows His surrender on the cross to become a transformation to new life in the resurrection. As disciples, we are called to imitate Jesus in our struggles and pain, so through our faith in God’s love we can be made “anew.” When we keep our eyes on Jesus, the doubts and fears will lessen, and we can find peace and hope in whatever the future holds.
Loving God, Your Son, Jesus, shows us that He understands the challenges of being human. Doubts and fear of our future can often prevent us from living fully as Your children. Send down the grace of your Spirit, so we may increase our faith in You recognizing that Your love for us never ends. May we step forward in faith to live as Jesus sharing your love and compassion with all people. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN.
- Marylynn Herchline