Thursday, November 14, 2019

Signs of Real Faith!

WORD 2day: Friday, 32nd week in Ordinary time 

November 15, 2019: Wisdom 13:1-9; Luke 17: 26-37

'Fools say in their heart, 'there is no God',' goes Psalm 14:1. Though it is not the spirit of the times to get into an argument with people with variant religious convictions, sometimes it is important to challenge the insincere ones which are held with hidden motives and contrived plots. The first reading is actually drawing that difference - the difference that actually exists between those who are sleeping and those who are pretending to sleep; between those who do not know and those who do not want to know! One is inability and the other is arrogance!

Between these two, lies another group of people who wish to wake up, who have all the willingness and possibility to know, but are procrastinating their decision. They know more or less, what is expected of them, but are waiting for a time when they can really launch themselves towards that righteous path. The Gospel warns these - it would be too late before you realise! Come on, Gird up!

The Word today is quite strong against those who probably have religious choices of convenience, than conviction. In this regard, it is easier for us to find someone to point a finger at, but what is important is for me to evaluate my faith! How much am I drifting along with conveniences and comfort zones, instead of standing firm with convictions and commitments? What makes me, as a Christian, better than someone who says he or she does not believe in a God? 

Faith is not merely saying 'yes' to a set of truths, but it is a personal relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, with God whom Jesus revealed to us, with the Spirit who lives on with us and within us. Is it not an ample opportunity for me today to raise this question in my heart: What does my faith mean to me? What are the SIGNS of real faith in my day to day life?