(Audio)
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
We are those who have not seen yet are called to believe. We were not with Peter, James, and John on the mountain of the transfiguration. Yet we can know Jesus in glory with even greater clarity.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Faith makes realities like the transfiguration present to us.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
When such mysteries are seen with the eyes of faith we perceive more than even Peter did on Mount Tabor. We perceive how they lead to the realization of what is hoped for. And in doing so we come to believe more and more that God does reward those who seek him. We our strengthened in our walk with Jesus.
Peter didn't yet perceive how the transfiguration was connected to his hope in God's promise.
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
When Jesus tried to explain the connection Peter and the others didn't understand.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Our faith allows us to fix our hope on the resurrection from the dead, first of Jesus, and then of all his people. Knowing that a time is coming when he will wipe every tear away allows us to persist even during challenging circumstances. We run so as to win. We endure to the end, and so our saved, knowing the crown that awaits us.
Faith is not a guess because guesses are not evidence. It is not arbitrary or random as though we may just as well believe in the flying spaghetti monster. Faith is an invitation and a gift. Just as with Peter, it comes to us as a gift from the Father.
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven (see Matthew 16:17).
The fact that we want such faith is evidence that God is already at work within us. Even that it sounds like it would be nice if it were true is a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. Yet faith is always an invitation. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. We must say yes.
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (see Mark 9:23)
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (see John 20:28)
We who have some faith should pray for more. We can tell we need it because of how little we find ourselves motivated by the rewards laid in store for us. We know our treasure ought to be in heaven but we're still collecting moth and rust and decay. Let's ask for more faith this morning.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
An Act of Faith:
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy catholic Church teaches, because in revealing them you can neither deceive nor be deceived.
- From Catholic.org
If you aren't fully awake yet, this will help..
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