No Faith

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/073115.cfm) reminds me of the effects of not having faith in God.

In today’s gospel, we see the power and importance of faith, ironically through the lack of it.

Jesus went to his hometown and instead of being proud that Jesus came from there, the people belittled him and took offense at him. They did not believe that someone from their own could really be God’s Child. This lack of belief, this lack of faith, was the reason why Jesus did not do a lot of miracles. Yes, Jesus needs our faith. His love and power does not change, but our faith affect it.

Our lack of faith limits God’s power over us.

I believe we are challenged by God. We are asked to look at ourselves and see what our heart says. Is our faith strong, or are we like the people who do not trust in God? When we pray, do we really have complete faith in God and his love and power, or do we just pray just in case God hears us? Is our faith strong enough to be willing to suffer for God? When God does not seem to hear us, do we have a humble heart and will still continue to serve Him, or do we walk away from him when we don’t get what we want?

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another weekend coming.  Thank you for the gift of faith. Lord, I ask that you help me strengthen my faith. I know faith is such a powerful and important aspect of my life, and I ask that you help me develop it. Kahit maliit, kahit mala mustard seed, I know it is enough, that it is a good start. May I have faith and may I be willing to suffer and still serve you because of that faith, knowing that your name will be glorified in everything. Amen

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/lack-of-faith.html

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July 31, 2015

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Lectionary: 405

Reading 1 Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37

 The LORD said to Moses,

“These are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate

at their proper time with a sacred assembly.

The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month,

at the evening twilight.

The fifteenth day of this month is the LORD’s feast of Unleavened Bread.

For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.

On the first of these days you shall hold a sacred assembly

and do no sort of work.

On each of the seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD.

Then on the seventh day you shall again hold a sacred assembly

and do no sort of work.”

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the children of Israel and tell them:

When you come into the land which I am giving you,

and reap your harvest,

you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest

to the priest, who shall wave the sheaf before the LORD

that it may be acceptable for you.

On the day after the sabbath the priest shall do this.

“Beginning with the day after the sabbath,

the day on which you bring the wave-offering sheaf,

you shall count seven full weeks,

and then on the day after the seventh week, the fiftieth day,

you shall present the new cereal offering to the LORD.

“The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement,

when you shall hold a sacred assembly and mortify yourselves

and offer an oblation to the LORD.

“The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the LORD’s feast of Booths,

which shall continue for seven days.

On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly,

and you shall do no sort of work.

For seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD,

and on the eighth day you shall again hold a sacred assembly

and offer an oblation to the LORD.

On that solemn closing you shall do no sort of work.

“These, therefore, are the festivals of the LORD

on which you shall proclaim a sacred assembly,

and offer as an oblation to the LORD burnt offerings and cereal offerings,

sacrifices and libations, as prescribed for each day.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab

R. (2a) Sing with joy to God our help.

Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel,

the pleasant harp and the lyre.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon,

at the full moon, on our solemn feast.

R. Sing with joy to God our help.

For it is a statute in Israel,

an ordinance of the God of Jacob,

Who made it a decree for Joseph

when he came forth from the land of Egypt.

R. Sing with joy to God our help.

There shall be no strange god among you

nor shall you worship any alien god.

I, the LORD, am your God

who led you forth from the land of Egypt.

R. Sing with joy to God our help.

Alleluia 1 Pt 1:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of the Lord remains forever;

this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.

They were astonished and said,

“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?

Is he not the carpenter’s son?

Is not his mother named Mary

and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

Are not his sisters all with us?

Where did this man get all this?”

And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them,

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place

and in his own house.”

And he did not work many mighty deeds there

because of their lack of faith.