Persistent Faith

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060916.cfm) reminds me that I should have persistent faith, especially when God seems silent. 

In today’s reading, we still see the story of THE prophet Elijah. He had faith in God’s power that he told king Ahab that a heavy rain is approaching. This was something very brave to do, since at that time, there was famine in the land. It was such a bold statement – a statement that could only be made by someone who has great faith.

Elijah prayed to God. His posture, putting his head between his knees, is a sign of how intense and how surrendering his prayer was. He was serious in his prayer. Syempre naman, sabihan mo ba naman ang hari na may malakas na ulan na dadating sa tag tuyot, kung di ka magdasal ng ganun. 

What’s inspiring about Elijah is his persistent faith.  As compared to the previous story, wherein God immediately sent fire to consume the offering, now we see God being initially quiet. Walang ulan. Hindi madilim. Mainit parin. When Elijah sent his servant to check, the servant said – nothing. Seems like his prayers are not working. From immediate action to nothing. However, this did not dampen Elijah’s spirit. He did not say, “Lord, diba close tayo? Bakit mo naman ako papahiyain?” Instead, he was persistent in prayer, unwavering in faith. He knew God would listen to him. He knew God will send rain. 

We should have persistent faith, especially when God seems silent. 

Siguro nakukulitan na yung servant sa pinapagawa ni Elijah. He looked six times at wala parn talaga. Siguro iniisip nya, wala pala to, mahina si Elijah. Naubos na siguro lakas sa dasal. ang kulit pa. Sabi nang wala eh. However, Elijah’s faith in God made the servant see something great. On the seventh try, he saw a small cloud.

Boom!

That was more than enough for Elijah. That was the mustard seed that would grow into a huge tree. That was the start of great things from God. He knew that it was God’s answer to his call. He had faith that the small cloud was the start of heavy rain… and God did not disappoint him.

We can have Elijah’s faith if we are close to Jesus. However, in the gospel, Jesus tells us that we cannot truly worship him, that we cannot really develop an intimate relationship with God if we have issues – specifically anger towards others.

Anger is not inherently bad. Jesus was angry at the people who made his father’s house a den of thieves. What’s bad is if it leads us to sin. What’s bad is if anger makes us hate the person, not the act of the person. We should hate the sin, not the sinner. We should love the sinner.  We cannot fully worship God and claim to love him if we cannot love others as well. And we cannot develop our faith if we cannot worship and love God. 

Do I find Elijah’s faith inspiring? Why? Why not? What can I do to improve my faith? When God does not seem to answer my prayers, what do I do? Do I stop and think that God is not listening, or am I like Elijah who is persistent in faith? Is there someone I need to forgive from my heart? Is anger residing in my heart?

May we be inspired by Elijah’s faith and work to live our lives building that faith while truly praising God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another beautiful and inspiring reminder. Thank you for reminding me that even if you don’t immediately answer, it doesn’t mean you won’t give me what I pray for. Thank you for reminding me that you do nit disappoint those who have great faith in you. Lord, I ask that you help me build my faith. Help me improve my faith and relationship with you. May I be like Elijah that has full faith in you even if you seem to be silent. May my faith not be dependent on worldly things and situations, but based on your love and power. As I live my life, help me build that faith, and help me release anger and everything in my heart that is preventing me from fully loving and worshipping you. Use me to bring glory to your name. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 9, 2016
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 362

Reading 1 1 Kgs 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink,
for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”
So Ahab went up to eat and drink,
while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,
crouched down to the earth,
and put his head between his knees.
“Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant,
who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.”
Seven times he said, “Go, look again!”
And the seventh time the youth reported,
“There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”
Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab,
‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.’”
In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind,
and a heavy rain fell.
Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel.
But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah,
who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab
as far as the approaches to Jezreel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13

R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Alleluia Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”