Word to the Wise
Sunday, August 11, 2013 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Wis 18:6-9; Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12; Luke 12:32-48]Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. [Hebrews]
Faith is a powerful thing, just as love and hope are. It is no wonder that these "virtues" are at the top of the theological list of desirable characteristics in a Christian! These virtues serve as the focus for a trilogy of encyclicals by Pope Benedict, with Pope Francis collaborating on the last one, which is on faith! This last one is entitled, "Light of Faith."
There is really no difference between an atheist and a "religious" person. Both have faith but an atheist chooses to put faith in anything except God. The saying by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew really says it for me: "Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." [Matt. 6"21] If there is an ultimate love which gives hope to life, that alone is worthy of faith. The quotation from Hebrews in the second scripture for today is much like the faith described in the Gospel of John: "The one who believes in me HAS eternal life." In short, faith is not just about something in the future, but a realization of something ultimate in the present! We have words that convey the "content" of our faith - the various "creeds" - but these words do not exhaust the meaning of faith. For me it is the acceptance of a love beyond all other loves which gives meaning to the wonderful love that I experience in this life. It is, indeed, a kind of "light."
My ministry gives me the opportunity to witness the power of faith working in people. My parents' religious faith was and remains one of the powerful examples to me. I can remember that in his last illness, my father kept his rosary close at hand at all times, sometimes draped around his neck, sometimes looped around the rail on the bed. I remember the high school student who was inspired by the faith of his fellow football team members to ask to become a Catholic. When I asked him why he was doing this, he said, "I'm reaching for the light!" I've never forgotten those words, even though they were spoken more than 40 years ago!
The Letter to the Hebrews, today, lists many heroes in faith. It offers us the opportunity to remember others whose faith has inspired us. Those who were with me at the University of Arizona in the late 70's will remember Blanche Provost, whose battle with cancer lasted 13 or more years and whose faith inspired student after student and doctor after doctor. I hope each of the Beloved Congregation can recall a similar person. This, more than any creed, will help us to know the importance of faith - the ultimate treasure. AMEN
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