That we
have faith does not mean we shall not suffer, that we are people of faith does
not translate to a life of luxury, or a life free from pains. Yes, Jesus said
if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain: ‘move’
and it will obey you. Matthew 17:20. But this does not mean that once we have
faith, all the mountains would disappear.
The book
of Hebrews speaks of the heroes of our faith in today’s first reading. It says:
“Some were tortured, refusing to accept release that they might rise again to a
better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and
imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with
the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted,
ill-treated… And all these, well attested by their faith, did not receive what
was promised.” Hebrews 11:35-39. I like to think of faith not as a passport to keep
bad things from happening to us but as a shield that prevents us from crumbling
into depression when bad things happen.
Faith is
praying to God for item A only to get item B (the opposite), yet you still find
courage to say “Thank you God.” Jesus cured a demoniac but in the process the
villagers lost their entire herd of swine. The size of their economic loss was
too huge to notice that a man had been set free from demon-possession. All they
could see was the loss of their source of livelihood. So they begged Jesus to
go away.
I wonder
how many times I have pushed God away simply because all I could see was loss. Faith
does not mean there will be no pain, it is steadfastness in the midst of pain.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith in good times and in bad. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews
11:32-40 and Mark 5, 1 to 20).
Fr. Abu.
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