The theme of today’s readings is faith. The first reading is about Abraham’s faith and how he and his descendants “would inherit the world” (Romans 4:13) because of his faith. If we look at Abraham though, we might doubt that. For instance, he lied about his wife being his sister, left Hagar and Ismael in the desert, and almost killed his son Isaac. Not exactly an exemplar of virtue. However, it is because of his faith that God has a covenant with him and his descendants. What does that mean for us today? Abraham didn’t earn a covenant with God. Likewise, we don’t earn God’s grace and love. Still, we act as if what we do can give us brownie points with God or rather that God’s love can be taken away if we don’t do certain things. Over the years, I’ve heard people treat Reconciliation, spiritual direction, Adoration with Eucharistic Exposition, acts of service and volunteering, and other prayers and rituals as ways to gain God’s favor to get into heaven. They had a focus on doing the right thing rather than simply loving God and our neighbors. This reading reminds us that God freely gives grace and love to us regardless of what we do. We receive God’s grace and love through our faith. 

The Gospel is also about faith, a faith that gives us courage. The evangelist Luke applied the teachings of Jesus to address the persecutions of the early Christian community. This is rather evident in this line, “When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say,” (Luke 12:12). Even in the face of condemnation and/or death due to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit can give courage to stand up against persecution. Such bravery is made possible by faith. I think of the countless martyrs in early Christianity as well as martyrs from closer to our current time like St. Andrew Kim Taegon and the Spanish Civil War martyrs. All of whom relied on the Holy Spirit to give them courage to stand up for their faith in the face of death. 

I pray that these readings inspire you to look at, develop, and continue your faith and relationship with God.

–Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI