Sunday 28th December – Feast of the Holy Family

Reflection: Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3

KEEP HOPE ALIVE

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants without knowing where he was going. Equally by faith Sarah though past the reproductive age believed she will conceive because she knew that He who made the promise would be faithful to it. (Hebrews 11: 8,11). By faith, man completely and freely submits his intellect and his will to God. Faith is a personal adherence of man to God and a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed. Faith is a personal decision made for God, through God, out of the freedom He has given us. Thus, in faith there is no compromise. Faith is borne out of our trust in God, that He can do all things; and our submission to God, that He will do what is best for us. Hence, our faith in God should make us realize that ‘there is nothing impossible for God to do’ (Luke 1:37); at the same time, our faith in God should assure us that ‘in all things God works always for our good’ (Romans 8:28). With this assurance, things may seem haywire to us, but with God on our side, we will know that they are working out as God as planned them.

The Blessed Virgin most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcomes the goods tidings and promise brought by the angel, believing that God can do all things and she gave her fiat: “Behold am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 38). She gave her fiat without minding the consequence of death if found to be pregnant outside marriage as a Jew. Because of her faith in God above the fear of death; She is called Blessed: Blessed is she who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord will be fulfilled (Luke 1:45).

Dear friends in Christ, to find peace and fulfilment in life, we must put all our faith and hope in God. We must let go and let God take charge of lives. To reap the fruit of faith in God, we must first submit ourselves to Him to use as He pleases. When we have surrendered all to Him, and things do not seem to be going right, then, more than ever, we must keep our hope alive in God and trust Him because He works always for the good of His own people.

PRAYER: Lord, help my faith in you to grow and keep me firm when my faith is put to the test. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 154 – Believing is possible only by grace and the interior help of the Holy Spirit. But it is no less true that believing is an authentically human act.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 CCB

Readings for Today: Genesis 15: 1-6, 21:1-3; Psalm 104: 1-9; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40