New York, St. Margaret, 12th August 2007

 

Dear Friends in Faith.
Last Sunday we spoke about money.
Jesus said: Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.
Jesus warned about money. But if not money what else? 

Today’s second reading has no doubt.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land.
By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.

Today’s second reading is only an abridgement of the eleventh chapter from the letter to the Hebrews. If we go there we can read more:
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.
By faith Noah built an ark for the salvation of his household.
By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites.
By Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s fury.
By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell.
What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
By faith.
If not money what else?
Only faith. Nothing else. 

By faith I’m not afraid of the death. I know the afterlife is better than now.
By faith I’m not afraid to be alone. I know who believes is never alone.
By faith I’m not afraid of any man. Jesus says to me:
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.
By faith I’m not afraid to lose anything. Saint Paul says to me:
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
By faith I’m not afraid of the hate:
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you.
By faith.

I believe in God, because he says to me:
Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you.
I believe in God, because he says to me:
Can a mother forget her infant? Even should she forget…. I will never forget you”.
I believe in God, because he never lies, he never exploits me, gives me power and joy, and certainty my life is not gong to be wasted.
I believe in God because even though I’m not better than unbelievers, he forgives me all my sins and give me peace in my heart.
I believe in God because I can’t believe in myself.
I promise in every confession that I will improve and I don’t.
I want to be a good Christian and still I do a lot of things against my faith. 

I believe in God and I trust him.
That’s my life, my money, my fame.
That’s my world.
I agree with the today’s second reading.
Everything by faith.
I agree.
And you?
What about you?