Today we meet my favourite Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk who has a very honest relationship with God. He has a faith that is tangible and humbling. He is able to praise and honour God in the most difficult of situations. In our own lives, there have been times when our faith has been tested in the most severe ways. We have been hurt and let down, often by those closest to us—those we thought we could trust with our lives. Factor in the effects of a global pandemic that has not gone away, the threat of global war, a lack of confidence in our traditional moral arbiters, such as Parliament and the Church, and the reality of global warming finally hitting home, then it is no wonder that there is a feeling that faith is under threat. Faith keeps us going and gives us a reason to get up in the morning. As Habakkuk had a deep faith in God that transformed his life, so we, as Christians, need a deep trust in Jesus.

What kept Jesus going when he had to carry the cross amidst the laughter and mockery of the crowd and the brutality of soldiers? How was Jesus able to remain silent when he stood before Herod? Quite simply it is faith. Without this strong faith, we would find ourselves falling away from God when the going becomes tough. Faith is not for the good times only. Faith is that which sustains us in bad times. According to St. Augustine, 'Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.' It is not easy to live a righteous life when things are not going smoothly in your life, but do not forget that faith is patience. Trust that God will never leave you forsaken. Never give up on God, because God will never give up on us.

Many of us will have been brought up in homes of deep faith. If that faith is authentic, and not just superficial, there is nothing we cannot face. I am so grateful for the faith of my grandparents, family, community and, friends during these past few years. When trauma hits us, tsunami-like, it is that deep reservoir of faith that I was able to draw on—it certainly helped me realise that faith is not my private choice, it is a communitarian experience. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live a life that is illuminated by faith: the ministry and Word of Jesus impacts our lives in what we do and say. God owes us nothing—we are not employees who work for 'Heaven Inc.' In following the Way, we do not merit a place in the reign of God. Christianity is not like some sort of ultimate loyalty card that we can cash in. Salvation cannot be earned because we live in a relationship of grace with God. It is that unconditional love that God has for us that helps us to move forward in faith. Today is that opportunity to thank God for the gift of faith that will continue to see us through whatever life might throw at us. As always, I find great comfort in the wisdom of the mystic, Thomas Merton:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Billy Pasco on Unsplash