Faith in the Old Testament
One of my favorite Biblical verses is found in Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the realization of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” The remainder of the chapter goes on to offer examples of people of faith from the Old Testament such as Abel, Abraham, Jacob and others. They knew that by their actions they were doing the will of God. They knew that there was a place beyond this life where their actions would be rewarded. The realities of this life among men meant nothing compared to eternity with God.
In today’s first reading from Leviticus, Moses carefully relates God’s instructions for the worship festivals of His people Israel. Worship was seen as the proper response of a grateful and humble people to the provenance of the one living God. These festivals were to be performed year after year to continually turn the hearts and minds of the people to a God they believed in but could not see. In other words, they were faith building exercises.
Faith in the New Testament
These examples of great faith from the Patriarchs contrast with the people of Nazareth during Jesus’ time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ fellow Nazarenes are astonished at his wisdom of the Scriptures. They questioned the miracles Jesus performed in other towns. “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?” The people assured one another that this man whose humble family and livelihood are known could not possibly be worthy of their time. “And they took offense of him.”
Jesus recognized their lack of faith, “….and he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” How painful it must have been for Jesus, with his fully human emotions, to be dismissed by the people who had known him all his life.
Faith in Our Lives Today
We live in a world which questions the need for faith in God. Unlike the people of the Old Testament, we have the words of the Gospels describing Jesus’ death and resurrection and ascension. Along with Sacred Scripture we have Tradition and the Church. What we do not have is the human presence of Christ. So, our faith is built by reflecting on the Scriptures, knowledge of Sacred Tradition and listening to the Magisterium.
My husband and I find our morning routine of reading Scripture and praying as necessary as our morning coffee! Starting each day, together, in prayer deepens our faith and our marriage.
If all of us were faith filled, imagine the mighty deeds God could accomplish! It is so very human to become lukewarm, even neglectful of our faith. We can all relate to those times when all is smooth sailing in our lives. We are apt to pat ourselves on the back for our self-sufficiency and cleverness. Unfortunately, we are tempted to be less attentive to our relationship with Christ. That is not being faith filled but rather ego filled. Storm clouds on the horizon prick our consciences to get back down on our knees. But we should not let human events determine our faith.
I cannot reach out and touch my God, but I know He is there. I can surrender all to Him knowing He knows what is best for me. And I can do this without even knowing where He is leading me. I have faith.
[Readings: Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37; Ps 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab; Mt 13:54-58]
