Something I Found . . .

I've been trying to clean out some of the files on my computer recently. While doing this, I came across the reflection below, written for the Pittsburgh Catholic, our diocesan newspaper, for 3 October 2010. A little old, yes, but may help in a pinch for an idea. It is dated since it mentions WYD 2011 (Madrid, Spain), but not bad for a then-newly ordained priest.

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            “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).  This sounds like a very simple request.  For those of us who yearn to follow Christ faithfully in our everyday lives, we know that this request has many complications behind it.  Yet, throughout our lives, this seems to be a reoccurring prayer.

            The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man” (162).  However, like any gift that is given to us, to keep it in pristine condition, we must be willing to work at keeping our faith.  Otherwise, we could lose it in a heartbeat.  This why we come to Mass: to nourish our faith through the Word of God (who is Christ, Himself) and through our participation in the Eucharist; this is why we do works of charity: to increase the faith not only found in ourselves, but in others, as well.

            Often in our lives, we can be like the person in the first reading from Habakkuk, who cries out to the Lord in our pain, our fear, our desperation.  However, we know that “the just one, because of his faith, shall live” (Hab. 2:4).  We have hope in the Lord; we have faith in the Lord!  But we can only hold on to this gift of faith only if we are willing to work at it.  Like most gifts from God, we can only receive what He is willing to give to us if we possess hearts and minds that are open to the workings of His Spirit. 

            Again, the Catechism points out to us that if we are willing to work at maintaining and improving our gift of faith, we must be willing to allow our faith to be situated in three areas: “it must be ‘working through charity,’ abounding in hope, and rooted in the faith of the Church” (162).  On top of these three areas, however, we must be vigilant in asking the Lord to increase our faith.  This has to be the desire of our hearts if this is to truly be our prayer.  It is only when this is our prayer, worked through charity, abounding in hope and rooted in Christ, can we truly be the messengers – the evangelizers – God calls us to be.

            In a little over nine months, thousands of pilgrims from around the world will gather with the Holy Father in Madrid, Spain, for the 26^th World Youth Day.  In this event, those faithful who are gathered will be reminded that they ought to be "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf. Col 2:7).  Yet this theme is not only meant for the pilgrims, but for the Church Universal, as well. 

            The more we are rooted in the faith of Christ, the firmer we will be in our faith.  The more firm we are in our faith, the easier it is to ask God for an increase of it.  Yet, this prayer is one with many implications.  God is willing to provide the faith, if we are willing to work at our end to maintain it.  Let us “live, grow, and persevere in faith until the end” (CCC 162), for it is because of this faith that we shall live.

           

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Enjoy the journey . . .