Faith

4th Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday (6 February 2019)

Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15. Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18. Mark 6:1-6.

Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief.

In the first reading we read that God treats us as His children. Therefore this treatment also includes corrections, even painful corrections, from God's part. God's love always challenges us, to bring out the best in us and to make us grow. All correction is painful, as the reading says clearly; corrections are never pleasant. But if we are able to accept correction, it produces peace and holiness in us. It produces true peace and true joy. The reading then towards the end adds as an exhortation: "Strive for peace with all, and strive to be holy, for without holiness, no one will see the Lord."

In the gospel reading we see how Jesus is welcomed (or rather "unwelcomed") in his own country on his home return. His wisdom and his power is summarily rejected by his own people (perhaps his own relatives too). They take offense at him. And Jesus is astounded at their lack of faith. A real irony, and tragedy. When we expect acceptance of Jesus from the part of the people, there comes rejection and criticism. Perhaps this is the lot of all who speak the truth and who stand for their convictions and principles. We should not be surprised. All prophets have the same fate. As Christians and believers we too have a prophetic role, and the job description of a prophet is rejection and misunderstanding.

In this context, we need to understand that there is a real danger that we could remain mere Christians, and not true believers. Christians, by definition, are those who believe in Christ and follow him. We all have been baptised as Christians. But the question is: Are we merely namesake Christians or true believers (meaning, true followers) of Jesus Christ? Will Jesus himself be astounded by our unbelief? Or have we made Christianity into a "convenience" religion? Christianity only for convenience?

So the call from Jesus to you and me is to believe in him deeply. To increase our faith today, and give up all those that militate against our belief. To accept corrections from the Lord, even when it is painful so that we may grow in our faith. And only God and His purifying love can give us true peace and true joy, and no one else, and nothing else.

Are we ready for God's challenging love?