By Kulandai Albert csc –
Readings: Heb 11:1-2, 8-19: Mk 4: 35-41
Today, the liturgy of the word invites us to have faith in God, who is our Father, with a positive attitude in life. The first reading narrates the meaning and sets an example for true faith. The Gospel reading speaks about the feeble faith of the Apostles, setting an example for weak faith. The common factor of both readings is faith, but the examples that are portrayed are different. One is Abraham from the Old Testament, who is called to be the father of faith because he responded to God’s call and went out, not knowing where he was to go.
But by faith in one true God, he reached the promised land and received manifold blessings. The other is the Apostles in the gospel, who knew and saw the power of Jesus still were frightened about the storm and the strong wind in the sea, because of feeble faith. In our Christian life, faith plays an important role, and is the foundation for our lives too.
Many times, we fall in one of these two categories. Sometimes, we are like the Apostles; we read, hear, and see many blessings and miracles of Jesus but still can be stressed and frustrated in life and question God. But the first reading gives an example and encourages us not to lose our faith in God, but to have faith in God with a positive attitude in life.