Faith and Doubt

Reflection on Today's Readings, Monday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, 3rd August, 2020
Texts: Jer. 28:1-7; Ps. 119: 29,43,79,80,102; Matt.14:22-36
We might not be able to measure the size of a person's faith but we can say something about the strength of someone's faith.  The strength of one's faith could be determined by the kind of challenges it could survive without giving in to doubt. Reason to doubt always exist alongside with our faith. Faith begins immediately we are able to affirm the existence of what is not visible (Heb.11:1). Not being able to see God is a reason that makes some people to doubt him, and without overcoming it no faith. Put succinctly, faith does not connote the absence of doubt but the ability to survive doubt.
Life challenges only reinforce our doubt; the greater the life challenges the greater the doubt. The greater the doubt we surmount the greater our faith. Hence, the Jesus' statement to Peter, 'why do you doubt' could be understood as 'why do you give in to doubt'. The wind only reinforced the doubt that he could walk on water. If we give in to doubt we lose our faith and return to the beginning, lack of faith. In the case of Peter, he still remembered to call on Jesus and as such he was called a man of little faith.
Life challenges could make us give in to doubt just like Peter. When such moment comes we should remember to call on Jesus just like Peter. If we give in to doubt, then we sink into the world. Jesus Christ is loving, whenever we call on him he will always reach out his hand to save us. When the problem persists, let us hear him saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear". At that time he is preparing us for greater faith, for the greater the challenge the greater the faith.

Lord our God, always help us not to give in to doubt, no matter what, so that we will always be faithful to you. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke