Faith is a Gift of God

 

The faith in Holy Eucharist arises from the revelation of Christ as God.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, August 25th, 2034
Texts: Joshua 24: 1-2.15-17.18; Psalm 34: 2-3,16-23; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6: 60-69 

Jesus Christ reveals, today, that faith is a gift of God, His Father. He puts it thus: "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." Penny catechism affirms the same thing in the words: “Faith is a supernatural gift of God by which we believe without doubting whatever God has revealed.”  

Should we then blame those who do not have faith? St. Paul answers thus: “Ever since the creation of the world God’s eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been seen and understood through the things God has made. So they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). He adds, “for though they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21).

The grace is God’s revelation

When we say faith is a gift, we mean it is something we attain by God’s grace. It requires the assent of the will. The grace is God’s revelation of His love and goodness to us. This revelation is enough reason for us to have faith in Him. Hence, the responsorial Psalm says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good”.  

The opening verse of the psalm declares the psalmist’s choice to worship the Lord. He says, “I will bless the  Lord at all times, praise of him is always on my mouth; in the  Lord my soul shall make its boast”. The remaining verses recount the Lord’s goodness, why he serves Him. The Lord turns his eyes to the just, and his ears are open to their cry, He rescues them in all their distress; He is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. 

The goodness of the Lord as the reason to serve Him

The people, in today’s first reading, recount the goodness of the Lord as the reason to serve Him.  They said, "for it is the  Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; therefore we also will serve the  Lord, for he is our God." 

Jesus Christ reveals why we need God’s grace to believe His words about Eucharist. It is because it is a mystery, truth that is beyond human understanding. He says, “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” We can only believe it because God, who is Truth Himself, reveals it.  

Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God

We have to believe that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God to believe His words on the Eucharist. This is clear in Simon Peter’s profession: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." Lack of faith in the Holy Eucharist arises from lack of faith in the Divinity of Christ. Being God nothing is impossible for Him; He could give His flesh for life.  

St. Paul, in today’s second reading, admonishes us to live our lives in reverence to Christ. It is the faith in Divinity of Christ that makes the admonition meaningful and possible. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands as Church is submissive to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church and gave Himself up for her. We are to believe in the mystery of Holy Eucharist in reverence to Christ’s Divinity.  

In summary faith is a gift of God which arises from God’s revelation of His goodness and Almighty power. The faith in Holy Eucharist arises from the revelation of Christ as God. Being God He is Almighty and can do what is beyond human understanding.  

Prayer  

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke