Word to the Wise
Sunday, August 12, 2007 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
[Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48]Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
In his famous and classic work THE CONFESSIONS, St. Augustine wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts will not find rest until they rest in you." I think of that statement when I read the wonderful line from Hebrews in the second scripture for today. "Faith is the realization of what is hope for and evidence of things not seen." If humankind is made in the image and likeness of God, then only God can make all human hope complete. There is nothing scientific or material that can do this. A human relationship can serve as an analogy but falls short (even the closest friendship). In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us that to believe in him is to experience eternal life. Thus faith becomes the realization of what is hoped for - the relationship with God. This is something more than simply going to church to "pay our respects to God!" It is more than doing good deeds of an altruistic nature (something non-believers can do as well). It is a conscious and intentional engagement with God which enables us to see that same divine presence in our neighbor. The effort to maintain this kind of relationship is what the Gospel of Luke points at today as well. The faithful servant is the one who keeps watch and fulfills the expectations of the Lord. Sometimes this seems a bit pious and abstract until one makes the effort and discovers it involves forgiveness and continual conversion in the face of tremendous secular attractions that amount to idolatry. Faith is a wonderful gift that is offered to all. The tragic thing is that so many don't even want to open it! AMEN
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