Reading 1
Rom 4:1-8
Brothers and sisters:What can we say that Abraham found,our ancestor according to the flesh?Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works,he has reason to boast;but this was not so in the sight of God.For what does the Scripture say?Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.But when one does not work,yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly,his faith is credited as righteousness. So also David declares the blessedness of the personto whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgivenand whose sins are covered.Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.
Gospel
Lk 12:1-7
At that time:So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot.Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,“Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,nor secret that will not be known.Therefore whatever you have said in the darknesswill be heard in the light,and what you have whispered behind closed doorswill be proclaimed on the housetops.I tell you, my friends,do not be afraid of those who kill the bodybut after that can do no more.I shall show you whom to fear.Be afraid of the one who after killinghas the power to cast into Gehenna;yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.Do not be afraid.You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Meditation: Romans 4:1-8
Why is it Abraham who rates the title “father of all … who believe” (Romans 4:11)?
What’s so great about his faith? Reading what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about faith (CCC, 142-184) is a good way to begin answering the question, especially where it describes faith as “a personal adherence of the whole man to God who reveals himself” (CCC, 176).
Obviously, Abraham didn’t view faith as a simply intellectual matter. He wasn’t like those people who say, “Oh yes, I believe that,” and then contradict that belief by their actions. Not just Abraham’s intellect but his will and his entire self—”the whole man”—clung to the God who had revealed himself to him.
Abraham demonstrated obedient faith. When God told him to do something—even something wrenching, like leaving his native land or sacrificing his son (Genesis 12:1; 22:1-2)—he obeyed. He also had trusting faith. Again and again, Abraham trusted that God would make good on his promise to give him a family, even though he and his wife were both old and childless. Such faith was “credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). In other words, his readiness to believe made him acceptable and pleasing to God. Finally, Abraham’s faith was active. It spilled over from his thinking into his desires and emotions to his actions.
How can we attain a faith like Abraham’s? Through a humble combination of practice and trust. After all, the Catechism tells us that faith is “a supernatural gift from God” (CCC, 179). So we should never think that we can create this faith solely by our own good intentions. No, it has already been planted in our hearts, and God is waiting for us to make the right choices that will allow it to blossom in us.
Take a few minutes today to think about how your faith affects your practical decisions and actions. Don’t get discouraged if you see areas in which you may fall short! God wants all of us to relate to him with obedient, trusting, active faith. Through the power of his Spirit, he can make all of us into heirs of Abraham’s faith and trust.
“Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief. Increase my trust as I seek to follow you today. Abraham, my father in faith, pray for me!”
No comments:
Post a Comment