By Zoe Cannon, Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
This message in the Gospel of John is a central theme in scripture. In the Old and New Testament, we read accounts of disobedience and punishment; with blessings when covenantal promises were fulfilled. The commandments given to us by the Creator of heaven and earth are purposeful and essential for our salvation.
The first reading for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time was from Genesis 18:20-32. In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, God is concerned about sinful people destroying these cities. In a conversation with Abraham, God reveals his awareness of the wicked ways of the people. He is willing to bargain with Abraham to save a small number of righteous individuals, if any can be found. In our plea for God’s mercy, this biblical story should concern us. Today, would God find 10 obedient, righteous people to save?
St. John Chrysostom, or “Golden Mouth,” preacher of the fourth and fifth century, brilliantly reminded the people of his day: “There is nothing to be dreaded in human ills except sin — not poverty, or disease, or insult, or ill treatment, or dishonor, or death, which people call the worst of evils. To those who love spiritual wisdom, these things are only the names of disasters, names that have no substance. No, the true disaster is to offend God, to anything that displeases him.”
We should strive for spiritual wisdom every day by following the teachings of Jesus and reading from the saintly people who lived truth with the Deposit of Faith. The Church is struggling with unity among believers. The clarity in Church teaching and tradition is Absolute Truth. We must first pray for guidance and seek with eyes of faith, or we may lose accuracy with our own interpretation. It is challenging because our society has become more and more “enlightened” and misguided in how we define and understand truth. The confusion about the difference between Absolute Truth and Relative Truth has created a divisive society and Church. Do people really want answers, or is the goal to control the narrative? We know from Sacred Scripture that dishonoring the Word of God is a great offense.
There is good news … “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocked; the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
The reality is … everyone is challenged by friends and family members with matters of faith and Absolute Truth. Focus on the things that bring you together, and the most important is trust in a merciful God. We can be certain that he controls heaven and earth, and we should thank him for his glory and power every day!
St. Thomas Aquinas said: “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” This does not mean to give up on those who fail to recognize truth or seek a stronger faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts, and by your actions help lead them to Jesus. Reach out to 10 people and have a conversation about the commandments of God. Love will prevail! Amen!