In the Gospel today, the Lord praises the faith of the Canaanite women. Faith. Faith is a virtue, one of the theological virtues. And like all the virtues, the virtue of faith is a muscle that needs to be practiced in order to be strengthened.
And this virtue is a powerful conduit for God to work in our lives, as He did in the life of the Canaanite woman. Her great faith was a conduit for healing in her family. There are a number of healings in the Gospel that come through the faith of others. And, if you remember, the gospel writers tell us that Jesus did not perform many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith.
So, if faith is a muscle, a virtue—how can we strengthen it, that it may become a more powerful conduit for God to work in our lives and in our families?
Firstly, Pray daily for great faith, especially by praying the Mass and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently. In the words of the father of the demon possessed by in Mark’s Gospel, pray, “Lord help my unbelief”
Secondly, Hear, read, study, share, and practice God’s Word daily, for St. Paul tells us faith “comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ”
Thirdly, assemble with other Christians who encourage your faith and help you deepen your faith. The book of Acts tells us how the early Christians, “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”
Fourthly, you have to cut out sin. Sin is like injecting poison into a healthy muscle. Venial sin will weaken the muscle, mortal sin will kill the muscle. It might look like it’s alive for a while, but it will die. Many Christians who have failed to confess their mortal sins, are in state of dying faith.
From time to time, I meet folks who say they are going through a crisis of faith: they can’t see God working in their life, they doubt God’s plan. And quite often, come to find out: they don’t pray, they don’t read and meditate on the scriptures, they don’t come to mass, they don’t confess their sins, they aren’t involved in their parish.
Well of course you are going through a crisis of faith, you’ve allowed faith to wither. And like a neglected muscle, it will take some time to rehabilitate withered faith. But there is no magic wand for faith to become strengthened again. It requires effort on your part and real reliance on the transforming grace of God.
But when faith is rekindled and strengthened, spiritual sight will return, what was dead is brought back to life, and God’s grace once again begins to animate one’s life. Lord make our faith strong, make our faith great again, help our unbelief, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the pope, bishops, and clergy may be filled with constancy in teaching and living out the Gospel, and that our parish may bear witness with great confidence to our life-giving faith in word and deed.
For Bishop-elect Michael Woost who will be consecrated bishop this week, for blessings upon his ministry as auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland.
That politicians and government officials may protect religious freedom, promote virtue, and look to the law of Christ to guide their work for the good of nations and the human race, and for a rekindling and strengthening of faith.
For all those who experience persecution for the sake of the Gospel, that they may be sustained in their faith, and bear fruit for the salvation of souls.
That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection, especially N. for whom this mass is offered.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.
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