Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Psalm – Luke 1:69-75; Mark 4:35-41
Using the examples of Abraham and Sarah the first reading speaks about faith. It began by giving us a definition of faith as the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. God told Abraham he will be the father of a great nation even though Sarah was barren. But they both believed. They were confident about God’s words even though they had no evidence. Thus, Faith is confidence without evidence. I am confident that God will do something miraculous in my life even though I have no evidence for that thing. I don’t just breathe by that confidence; I confess it and I walk by it. The woman with the issue of blood in Mark chapter 5 was so confident that if she touched the herm of Jesus’ cassock she will be made whole. Upon that confidence she operated and so she was restored. In the Gospel of today, we are made to understand that fear is one of the greatest attack against faith. When fear overwhelms you, your confidence is liquidated. The disciples were terrified despite the evidence of Christ presence in the boat. Today, we too have no confidence despite the evidences – the testimonies we have received. Lord, have mercy and increase our faith, calm the storm of our faithlessness and where fear creeps in help us to rise by faith and claim our rightful place. Amen.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the unmerited favor of your love. It is because of the faith you created in me that I have been saved, set apart to do your work, and received your grace. Through Christ, I have received grace upon grace. Father, I sometimes miss the mark and fall short of your will. Thank you for the grace you lavish when I falter in my faith. I Praise you for grace upon grace.