Appreciating the Gift of Faith

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 27th October, 2020

Texts: 3:7-14; Ps. 111:1b-6; Luke 11:15-26

Today, St. Paul continues to speak to us on the necessity of faith; it is by faith we are justified. It is in Abraham, the father of faith, that God promised to bless all nations. Abraham lived by faith and was justified by faith. All nations blessed in him shall also live by faith and be justified by faith. St. Paul says, "So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith." One of the blessings given in Abraham is faith; in Abraham we learn to have faith in God. 

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that makes him has meaning in our lives. The problem with the people in today's gospel reading is a lack of faith. They said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. While others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven." St. Augustine says, "Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of faith is to see what you believe.” As they lack faith in him they could not see meaning in his works, they could not see the kingdom of God that has come upon them through his works. Jesus says, "But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

We cannot believe the truths about God without faith; it is by faith that we give assent to the  truths about God.

We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. By our faith in Jesus Christ, his righteousness is credited to us, that is, the righteousness he gained for us by his passion becomes ours by our faith in him. We are given the righteousness of God merited by the passion of Jesus Christ. Hence, St. Paul says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us - it is written, 'Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree - that in Jesus Christ the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Hence, our righteousness is no longer by our own works but that of Jesus Christ. It is in faith that the passion of Jesus Christ has meaning in our lives. St. Paul calls us to appreciate our faith and to cherish it. Faith in Jesus Christ wins for us an unmerited grace. St. Paul has succeeded in showing us how invaluable the faith in Jesus Christ is. The value of our faith is beyond measure. Let us live it and live it well for the greater glory of God.

Lord our God, we thank you for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, help us to appreciate it by the ways we live our lives. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke