Faith: Source of Our Strength

08-07-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

Today’s readings call for deep faith and trust in God. The first reading presents us with the courageous faith of the people of Israel in awaiting their deliverance from Egypt, and it came to fulfillment. At the same time, it tells us that true wisdom comes with giving priority to a right relationship with God. In the first reading we learn that when we wait on God with trust, He answers our prayers.

The second reading gives us the result of faith in the lives of Abraham and Sarah who left their homeland and relatives to travel to a new land where God was leading them. The first thing we notice is the urgency with which they responded to God’s call to leave to an unknown destination, trusting in the providence of God, they left. We are told, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, he went out, not knowing where he was going. By Faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country. By Faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age, and Sarah herself was sterile for he thought that the one who made the promise was trustworthy… By Faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered Isaac”.

Thus, faith in this sense, means an assurance/confidence or conviction that God will never abandon me. It is looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Faith connotes trust in God and preserving hope amidst all kinds of trials. That is to trust that God’s promises will be fulfilled in my own life. Because I know He is THERE despite all odds. It gives one the courage to remove fear, anxiety and worry which destroy our life. Faith gives us the courage to move on in life even when the future does NOT look very bright.

Faith involves total trust in God that He is near me and will take care of me. He will provide for me and take charge of whatever I go through. Faith means to strongly believe that He is there in my family, and nothing happens outside His knowledge. That you have faith does not mean you will not have trials. That you have faith does not mean that you may not make a mistake or fall into temptation or sin. Faith even helps you to know that God is there even in your unworthy situation or may have fallen into serious sin. Faith in God gives us the courage to move to God in complete repentance of heart. Thus, because of the Faith you have, you are able to get up and keep moving.

Faith is also necessary in our family between husband and wife. There is need to have faith and trust in your spouse if not there may not be peace. If there is no trust in our relationship that relationship is bound to fall. To have the faith in your partner is to give the person freedom to be himself or herself.

Teenagers

Faith is also very important in your lives. As you go back to school you need to have faith in yourself as a student. You need trust and confidence in yourself that even if you had not done well last year, things would be better this new school year. You need to have faith in your ability and what God has given you. You must convince yourself that you can make a better grade in your results this coming session. You need to have confidence in yourself so that no one takes away the good values you have got from your home, your parents and grandparents. You must be confident that what you have is better than what another person may tell you.

May God bless you as you begin a new school year.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F