FAITH IS A GIFT AND A TASK

 

FAITH IS A GIFT AND A TASK

There are a lot of messages we can get from today’s Gospel. It was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Emphasis was given to the anawims, Gentiles, oppressed, poor, widows, etc. Luke presents Jesus as the Messiah for sinners, with preferential option for the marginalized in the community where he belonged. Be that as it may, the message was not only for a certain group of people, particular place, or specific time. The message of salvation is for all, with priority for the marginalized.

Jesus cited what the prophets Elijah and Elisha did to the widow and Naaman the leper, respectively. The Jews may have been the chosen people and, according to the economy of salvation, were to be the first beneficiaries. But the faith of the Gentiles and the sick were not left unheard and unattended. God’s prophets brought to life the son of a widow and cured a man with leprosy. This will be the recurring theme of Luke’s Gospel. The goal is to attain a jubilee year—actually a jubilee for all time because we have an all-forgiving and loving God.

We, therefore, should not be drowned by entitlement. Being a member of the Catholic Faith provides us with the teachings of Jesus both from Scriptures and Traditions. Being baptized and recipients of other sacraments make us disposed to God’s sanctifying grace. We are graced to be a member of this Faith, but it does not end there. We need to live out our faith. Miracles need faith in order to happen. Sacraments need faith as a response. Faith is our response to God’s loving invitation to His Kingdom. Faith is what will unite us with God. Fr. Benny Tuazon

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

How do you value your faith? What role does it play in your life?

Thank You for the gift of faith, Lord Jesus. May I be able to live it out fully. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________