Such a gift calls us to trust, live with courage, and fan into flame the Spirit that strengthens us
by Sister Jane Riha
My approach to reflecting on the Scriptures written so long ago is to read them from the perspective of today’s modern world. “Increase our faith,” the Apostles said to Jesus. Faith and the role of religious belief are so diversified in our own country. Our media is filled with proclaimers of faith intent on teaching us how to follow Jesus. Some are self-righteous; some would split us into camps that oppose each other; some interpret the Scriptures literally and out of context; some are filled with rituals and devotions. In a very chaotic world, this is a challenge.
A personal approach could be to say “Increase my faith.” Faith is a gift in which we enter into a trusting relationship with God. In the Gospel for today, Jesus seems to indicate that his followers’ faith is lacking. He indicates that when we have done everything possible, “we have done what we are obliged to do.”
Faith is nurtured by faith-filled persons and in prayer. Faith is nurtured in the home through the example of parents, in church, school and the neighborhood. In the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, we see a faithful servant (Timothy) being encouraged by a faith-filled friend (Paul). He shares an apt description of faithfulness. It needs “fanning into flame” sometimes; it needs courage and a willingness to bear hardships to live the Gospel life.
We proclaim our faith by how we live. In the Catholic Church, we proclaim our faith during the Mass by our presence with one another and in reciting either the Nicene Creed or the Apostle’s Creed.
As members of a religious community, we have the privilege and joy of praying daily with faith-filled women who are companions on the journey. What a treasure we share as followers of Jesus!