By ZOE CANNON
GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF FAITH
“Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you; he will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 3:6).
The struggle between the Kingdom of God and our world is inevitable. We crucified the Savior sent to give us refuge, and sin continues to keep the world filled with discontent. The mercy and unconditional love of God the Father is our heaven on earth, our hope for eternal life. Why is it so difficult to share the truth and wisdom of God?
Jesus promised his disciples before his Ascension into heaven that he would send an advocate to help them. A new church community was created at Pentecost by the power of the Holy Spirit. The mission for this early Church was to spread the gospel of Jesus, baptizing the people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The same grace is available to us in the gift of sacraments through the power of the priesthood. We need to help others understand that the Holy Spirit is here for us today! It is tough to hear this Christian message among the daily noise and distractions, but it is important to share.
The first step in evangelizing is to be a good listener. Our words of witness must complement the way we live our life. We worry about having the skills to share our faith, but when you seek God, the message will come from the heart. The vocation to holiness is a source of credibility, and the journey can be a welcome change.
Scripture reminds us that human influence is set and derived from a basic divine power, and no matter how much authority a human being has; he does not escape the moral oversight and sanction of God. Consider the words Jesus said to Pilate: “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above”(John 19:11).
Fifteen years ago, my son purchased an iPod and filled it with inspirational music. When he gave it to me, he challenged me to walk five miles a day while I listened to the tunes. Patrick had just recovered from a serious accident, and this was his way of saying thank you for the love and support he received during those challenging days. The witness of his miraculous transformation back to health after months of rehabilitation inspired me. I still enjoy my daily walk with the motivational music he provided for me. I was walking one morning last week with my trusty, old iPod, and I noticed a cloud formation shaped like a cross in the sky. It was a reminder of how blessed I am to have Patrick in my life. This emotional moment gave me an opportunity to reflect on how good God has been to my family, as a healer and heavenly Father.
No one is exempt from the difficulties of life, but trust in God will help you realize that anything is possible when you see the world through eyes of faith. Sometimes you have to walk away from the craziness of the world for a while and give God glory for his signs of hope, which are often clouded by things of this world. Take the time to help others know that good prevails when you are seeking God in all things. He will never forsake us! Be strong and bold! Amen!