Scripture:
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Mark 4:35-41
Reflection:
Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1-2
Where in your life have you seen this played out?
For the most part I am a person of hope, but sometimes discouragement does drop those seeds of doubt and frustration!
Having just returned from the Women’s March on Washington, I find myself evermore grateful for the gift of faith in my life! I must admit that there have been many times over the past months that I yearned to see more evidence of faith in action! Oftentimes I felt surrounded by people whose faith was lagging and events that so overwhelmed me that I found myself longing for more sunshine and less clouds.
My friends and I experienced an incredible 36 hour journey which has left us physically tired (12 hour bus trip to DC, 12 hours participating in the March and 12 hour bus ride back home). More importantly, we come back feeling fortified in body, mind and spirit! One cannot be immersed in the faith, hope and love of a half million people and not come away re-energized to continue the journey. The weather may have been dismal, but there could not have been a more sunny experience of hope and optimism. A friend posted this remark on his FB page, “I will treasure the 800 new friends I have met today!”
Jesus was frustrated with the apparent lack of faith exhibited by the apostles as they gave into their fears and lost control in a situation that called for belief rather than doubt. In retrospect, we all fail to place our belief and trust in our God who promises us ongoing care and love.
It has been said, ‘there aren’t any atheists in foxholes.’ Well there surely wasn’t any lack of faith in the marches this past Saturday that stretched from one end of our nation to the other and beyond our shores.
As people of faith, may we continue to nurture this gift of faith that will see us through the good times as well as those challenging periods that cause us to doubt and question.
Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.
