lord, "increase our faith" (lk 17:5)
"He could work no miracle there, apart from curing a few who were sick by laying hands on them, so much did their lack of faith distress Him." —Mark 6:5-6
Will you travel somewhere today? I drove to morning Mass, and then to work. I had faith that the roads were in good condition, that no bridges were going to collapse, and the roads on which I was driving still led to the same places they led yesterday. I had faith in these structures made by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
People have faith in worldly things, such as roads. Yet when it comes to Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, such faith is in crisis in today's world. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to save, bless, and heal the world's people (see Jn 3:16). He comes to bring life to the full (Jn 10:10). Yet there is such an epidemic of skepticism, doubt, and unbelief prevailing in the world. Even Jesus was unable to do much good in such an environment (Mk 6:1-6ff). Though He could have sovereignly worked wonders, Jesus desires to work in an atmosphere of faith. Many times in the Gospels, Jesus heals and then says that the person's faith had been the catalyst (see e.g. Mk 5:34).
Jesus reveals that if we had faith even the size of the tiniest seed, we could move mountains (Mt 17:20). St. Paul even states that "all depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). Therefore, ask the Lord to reveal any lack of faith in your life. Repent deeply, and beg the Lord to increase your faith (Lk 17:5). Jesus Himself says that everything is possible to one who believes (Mk 9:23).
Prayer: Father, may Jesus dwell in my heart through faith (Eph 3:17).
Promise: "I said, 'I confess my faults to the Lord,' and You took away the guilt of my sin." —Ps 32:5
Praise: St. Agatha is venerated as a virgin-martyr of the early Church. She was martyred in 251 AD during the persecution of Emperor Decius. She kept the Faith though cruelly tortured.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 8, 2019
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