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Faith (Heb. 11:1-3, 6,8,11-13)

Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life. (CCC 26).

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age—and Sarah herself was sterile—for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth (Heb. 11:1-3,6,8,11-13).”

Through faith we are assured of the reality of the things we hope for.  By faith we understand that God made the world and all that is in it and that he has entered into a personal relationship with each of us.  Our permanent dwelling is not here on earth.  Although Abram and Sarah were very old and Sarah was barren, through faith they produced countless descendants who had faith in God.  As descendants of Abraham, we are strangers on earth looking forward to our heavenly homeland.

Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man.  We can accept, reject or lose this precious gift.  To live, grow, and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith [1].  The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, his death and resurrection, become the grounds for us to have faith in God.  Therefore, if we believe in Jesus because of His teachings and actions, we enter into the faith of Jesus in His Father, God.

Almighty God, you gave us the gift of faith to see your marvelous work of creation and believe in your promises.  Continue to strengthen our faith through the word of Jesus Christ, so that we can do good works according to the purpose for which you called us.  This we ask through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen!

[1] Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Catechism of the Catholic Church. First ed. New York City: Image/Doubleday, 1995. (para. 162) Print.; Mk. 9:24

Reference:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.



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