19th Su of OT Reflection

Wis 18, 6-9; Ps 33, 1. 12. 18-22; Heb 11, 1-2. 8-19; Lk 12, 32-48

a. Faith is Objective

1. The rendering of Heb 11, 1, bad translation, better “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”
2. Substance implies something that is objective that is the our resurrection
3. Evidence referring to the Resurrection of Christ
4. Abraham offered his son Issac, had faith in the Cross…would not have to offer his son, the Lamb of God would be provided (Jn 1, 29)
5. Faith always involves the Cross
6. Faith is the theological virtue: Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. (CCC 1814)
7. Reality of the 2nd coming requires patience (cf Gospel Reading)

b. Faith is public

1. The Church professes her Faith, through Creeds. Nicene-Constantinople, Athanasian, Apostles’
2. Faith can not be merely a personal affair, it must affect your public disposition
3. There is no such a thing as “I personally believe x, but publically will do y” failure of living up to Baptismal Promises

c. Faith is subjective

1. Each person has different capacity to receive the Faith, some struggle more than others
2. Faith is united to reason, they can not be separated
3. Faith does not require your personal ratification, it’s a free gift from God
4. The Faith can be either incultured in you (cradle Catholic), or you can come to the Faith (converts from non Catholic religions)

We pray for the grace to have united our personal Faith, and the Faith we profess in public.