Blog

This week’s gospel reflects the importance of faith in our lives. It is a lesson about faith and reminds us that faith is sometimes found in unlikely places. Jesus commends the man, a Samaritan, for his faith, which has been his salvation.

The gospel made me think about the concept of faith. I had a very positive example of strong faith~ “living proof”~ in my mother. Her faith sustained her through many trials, early widowhood, health issues, the obstacles that can test a person’s belief in God. She demonstrated what Mother Teresa stated, “Faith and prayer is the connection with God, and when that is there, there is service.” My mom once said, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds tomorrow. Hold on to your faith. Don’t give up on God.” Billy Graham stated, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” This was passed on to me. I can only hope to continue this legacy in my children and grandchildren.

Reflecting on faith, Nipsy Hussle said, “It sounds simple telling people to work hard and never quit, but to really execute and demonstrate those principles takes discipline and faith. Those are the two factors that I believe separate the good from the great, the successes from the failures. Another quote I read once stated, “I think faith is incredibly important because you will become overwhelmed with what’s happening and you will have waves of grief, but when you turn to your faith, I believe God will give you waves of peace to get through it.”

Pope John Paul II said, “May our faith be strong; may it not hesitate, not waiver, before the doubts, the uncertainties that philosophical systems or fashionable movements would like to suggest to us. May our faith be certain. May it be founded on the Word of God; on deep knowledge of the Gospel message, and especially of the life, person and work of Christ, and also on the interior witness of the holy spirit.”

If you have that in you, if you have the faith,
You will believe in things, if your faith is strong,
You will hold on in life, if your faith is strong,
You would have that to survive. Keep the faith going!
Cathy Keirstead