the power of faith

#12thandMass

There is much to discover about and experience of the power of faith. Hence, a string of gospels these Sundays to assist us. Last week, Jesus awoke to silence both a storm on the lake and the disciples’ fear, asking them “Have you still no faith?” This week, in the fifth chapter of Mark’s gospel, we find a woman with a hemorrhage who has been afflicted for twelve years, and who dares, in faith, to come to Jesus for relief; for healing. As we read, she approaches Jesus from behind, in the crowd, unannounced. She touches Him and is healed without a word exchanged. It is almost as though Jesus leaks power. There is so much power to share.  Once they finally do exchange a word, Jesus says to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
 
What is the power of faith? What is this powerful faith? Do you sense that faith is powerful? Do you almost levitate when you recite the Creed? Just kidding—about the levitation, not the power of faith!
 
For faith to be powerful, it must be more than simply a belief system. For faith to be powerful, it must be more than positive thinking, more than vague trust that life will get better. Such thinking has benefits, but faith is more.
 
For faith to be powerful, it must be directed to and connect us to God, Who is all-powerful. Faith does this and, by it, we participate in God’s power. Now, note that participation in God’s power does not mean taking ownership of it, and using it for our own purposes. Such participation is in the context of a love relationship,
wherein we seek to be led by God, according to God’s wisdom. 
 
God is love.
God is powerful.
God makes us of His power at the service of His love. 
By faith, we are powerful to love.

In faith with you,
 
Fr. Dominique
Fellow-pilgrim of faith