The Faith Behind our Beliefs - Tuesday, June 2
Today’s Readings - Psalm 45;Eccles. 2:16-26; Gal. 1:18-2:10; Matt. 13:53-58
Throughout the gospels we hear Jesus declare, “Your faith has made you well.” He doesn’t say, your status in the community, your wealth or your intelligence, and never you’ve earned this because you have done many wonderful deeds. More often than not the ones who are healed are the ones who seem least likely to be seen as faithful. They are those who have not been believers or have been seen as sinners by their community.
Belief supported by an underlying faith is not something that is always obvious nor should it be. There was a woman at the church we went to when Stan and I first got married. She was definitely not friendly and God forbid you should try to pass her the peace or sit in her seat on “her” pew. After she died, at her funeral the priest talked about all the many things that she did that no one ever knew about. He described how dependable she was, the faithful way she was always present and the hours she spent washing and ironing the sacristy linens so that every Sunday they were perfect and ready to be used for the services. No one, not even most of the altar guild, knew she had been doing this. I learned so much about her but mostly I learned how deep her belief in the love of God ran, that she was quietly faithful in ways that never drew attention or even a word of thanks. She clearly loved her God and her church, and she showed it in ways that never brought her attention but in ways that gratified her and that she knew were pleasing to her God. That was all that mattered to her.
Jesus’ healing powers were not magic. They were a gift from God to those who believed, who had faith in their hearts. We recently celebrated the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. The Spirit gives us the reassurance that we are not alone, that Jesus remains with us even though we can no longer see him. The power of the Holy Spirit surrounds us without visible clues but then isn’t faith “the conviction of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen?” (Hebrews11:1.)
Healing happens in many ways, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes it is faith that gives us the courage to endeavor, to keep trying when nothing else seems to help. It is belief with faith that gives us hope which in turn fuels our joy. Joy in turn can change an otherwise difficult situation into one that shines light into the darkest of times or places and brings possibilities, opportunities for the “infinite possibilities born of faith.”
Faithfully,
Sally+
Quesetions for Reflection and Challenge - What are some unexpected unconventional ways that faith has made you well? What are some ways you can encourage others to see and seek this healing power born of faith?