My wife recently got into an internet spat with a gentleman about Darwinism and evolution. they went back and forth on Twitter for a couple of days, one seemingly trying to convert the other with their understanding of the subject. After a couple of days, my wife cordially signed off of the argument with the offer to pray for the gentleman who professed to be an atheist.
My wife and I have struggled for years trying to understand how it is that people can have such differing thoughts about many things. What I have come to realize since starting this blog and posting my thoughts on the daily readings and how they effect my life, is that without faith there can be no understanding of the power of God. Even with Faith, I struggle with all that God has accomplished. Because of Faith, I know that struggle is all part of the journey.
Today’s Gospel is the story of Christ’s Transfiguration and I can’t believe my post isn’t going to make that beautiful story my main topic. But have faith. I want to bring in today’s first reading. The 11th Chapter of Hebrews. Mother Church only gives us the first 7 verses to read and contemplate this morning but I will challenge you to open your bible and read the entire 11th Chapter. I will also challenge you to read through the footnotes – I’m going to post the first footnote as part of this post. The “title” of this chapter is the Faith of the Ancients and is truly the best example of how to explain the meaning of Faith. Here is that footnote…
* [11:1–40] This chapter draws upon the people and events of the Old Testament to paint an inspiring portrait of religious faith, firm and unyielding in the face of any obstacles that confront it. These pages rank among the most eloquent and lofty to be found in the Bible. They expand the theme announced in Heb 6:12, to which the author now returns (Heb 10:39). The material of this chapter is developed chronologically. Heb 11:3–7 draw upon the first nine chapters of Genesis (Gn 1–9); Heb 11:8–22, upon the period of the patriarchs; Heb 11:23–31, upon the time of Moses; Heb 11:32–38, upon the history of the judges, the prophets, and the Maccabean martyrs. The author gives the most extensive description of faith provided in the New Testament, though his interest does not lie in a technical, theological definition. In view of the needs of his audience he describes what authentic faith does, not what it is in itself. Through faith God guarantees the blessings to be hoped for from him, providing evidence in the gift of faith that what he promises will eventually come to pass (Heb 11:1). Because they accepted in faith God’s guarantee of the future, the biblical personages discussed in Heb 11:3–38 were themselves commended by God (Heb 11:2). Christians have even greater reason to remain firm in faith since they, unlike the Old Testament men and women of faith, have perceived the beginning of God’s fulfillment of his messianic promises (Heb 11:39–40).
Just as the men and women of Christ’s home village could not witness any miracles because they had no faith, so it is with many scientists today. It is impossible for them to see the hand of God in anything to do with science, evolution, nature – life itself – because they have no faith and the light of God’s truth has not been made known to them.
Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,* so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him,e for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Do something great for our Lord today – be not afraid; just have Faith.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
He must increase; I must decrease.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 