Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 09.03.2006 (Article Archived on 23.03.2006)
In the first reading, from the very first book of the bible, Genesis, we are told of God’s covenant with Noah, after He had saved Noah from the waters of the flood.
In the first reading, from the very first book of the bible, Genesis, we are told of God’s covenant with Noah, after He had saved Noah from the waters of the flood. Everyone knows the story of Noah, how God commanded him to build an ark. He was ridiculed by his neighbours, who must have doubted his sanity. Who else but a crazy person would build a huge boat on dry land?
But the rains came, and Noah sailed away with his family, and the animals he had been commanded to load into his ark. They survived the floods, and started all over again. God rewarded Noah for his faith.
I looked up the definition of faith in the dictionary and this is what I found:
· Confident belief in the truth, value or worthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
· Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
· Loyalty to a person or thing, allegiance.
· The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of god’s will.
Faith is a part of our everyday world. As Christians, we have a confident belief in the value of the teachings of our God. We don’t need “material” proof, although I feel confident in saying that almost all of us have our own experience of proof of God’s love in our own lives. We are loyal to our beliefs, and maintain them through good times and bad. We are secure in our belief that God exists and we all have an acceptance of God’s will.
Everything about our lives should be and is about faith. Not only do we have faith in our God, but in our fellow man. It is what gives us the strength, the courage, and the determination to go on, even in the face of adversity, both personal and in the big wide world around us. Our faith makes us see the goodness in this world, it opens our eyes to the beauty of the world around us. Our faith gives us the energy to do our best to keep the good that exists around us intact, and to work to improve that which doesn’t live up to the expectations of our faith. It’s why we work to clean up our environment, protect the turtles who call this island home, volunteer as youth leaders and church leaders, preserve the history of this unique island and it’s antiquities, all efforts to maintain the special qualities of Ascension in so many different ways. It’s why we give money to charity, why we lend our voices to those around the world in speaking out against injustice and unfairness.
Faith is a powerful concept. We ask God for guidance, and we promise to do our best to follow His path. We ask Him to remember us with love and mercy. In our faith, we believe that whatever our faults, He will do all of this, and more. In Psalm 24, we hear the following words …
Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: For you are God my saviour.
Remember your mercy Lord, and the love you have shown from old.
In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.
The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
He guides the humble in the straight path; He teaches His way to the poor.
So with the faith of true believers, let us remember that God will always be beside us, showing us the path and guiding our steps. Let us always do our best to stay close to God so that we never lose sight of Him. It is easier to stay by His side, than try to find our way back home. Faith should be the foundation of our life. Faith will always be rewarded; we might not know how or when but we can be assured that it will be. May God bless all those whose faith is strong.
Please Note: Next Wednesday, March 15, at 7pm, Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor John Daly, principal Roman Catholic chaplain (RAF). Everyone is welcome.
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