The WORD today reminds me that not having faith in God affects what he can do to and through us.
When the pandemic started last year, a lot of people started to work from home. They were forced to. And during the early part of the work from home process, I read an article that people at home were surprised to see how their spouse / partner were at work. During meetings and video calls, they were surprised on how serious, organized, and well respected their partners were. Maybe they did not see that side of their partner. Or maybe they were surprised because due to familiarity, they did not expect their partner was like that at work. This is probably similar to what Jesus is saying in the gospel.
A lot of times, we see Jesus telling people that their faith has saved them. In a number of times, Jesus even said that a faith so small like the mustard seed can do great things. They say that God supplements our faith, so just a little amount would do. God fills up what we lack in terms of faith. However, in the gospel today, we see the power and importance of faith, ironically through the lack of it.
“And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith”
Jesus went to his hometown, and the people, instead of being proud that Jesus came from there, belittled him and took offense at him. They did not believe that someone from their own could really be God’s Child. They felt they knew Jesus, that he was normal just like them. 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 hearts and our lack of faith limits his power over us.
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. There is no need and no benefit to doubt God. He is all loving and all powerful. We should always remember and believe this, no matter what situation we are in.
This pandemic may be testing our faith. There are a looooot of reasons to lose faith. With what is happening. With how people in authority are responding. With corruption and greed still rampant despite people dying. With those in power abusing even those who are helping others. However, we are reminded to trust in God. There are a lot of things we cannot control, but we can control how we react. We can still do good. We can still spread God’s love in this world. And we should.
Is my faith strong, or am I 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?
May we work on our faith and build it, so we can have and develop a strong faith in God no matter what the situation may be.
Father God,
Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the gift of faith. Sorry for not having enough faith in you, especially when situations are difficult. Sorry for not working on improving my faith and relationship with you. 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. May i have faith in you especially during challenging situations. Your love and power are greater than anything. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 405
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.”
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.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever;
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.
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