The faith factor

The story is told about a man who was selling his dog. The interested buyer wanted to know: “Is he a dog that can be faithful to his master?” The seller replied: “Guaranteed, sir.  You see, I have sold him five times already, and he has come back to me five times!”

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 17, 5-10), the disciples asked Jesus to “increase our faith.” It was a sincere request on their part, aware as they were of their tendency to have fears and doubts. Don’t we all need to say this prayer? All too often, we have faith not so much in God as in our own efforts and resources. The truth is, we are men and women of little faith.

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Having faith in God is not just a matter of professing it, or proclaiming it, or talking about it. Having faith in God involves a deep relationship with the One who is greater than us, and who we believe loves us. Faith is not so much about creed or beliefs as about a personal relationship with a God whom we trust.

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There is a strong public distrust these days toward our political leaders. The political faith of our people has waned because of the recent discoveries of theft and anomalies involving public funds. May our leaders never forget that public service is based on public trust, and faith.

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What is a faithful person? A person who is full of faith! And our faithfulness to our calling, our duty, or commitment can be equated with the presence or lack of faith. A person who acknowledges God and is obedient to Him will end up to be a faithful person.

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A person with faith will never become proud. Why? Because faith makes us understand and accept our sinfulness. It makes us humble, and grateful for God’s blessings and grace. The more we have faith, the more we appreciate the greatness of God, and the more we become aware of our littleness.

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If your life now is either a career, popularity, or wealth journey, then you are still not journeying to God’s heart. Somewhere down the road (hopefully not on our deathbed!), we must embark on a real faith journey. You will know that you have embarked on a faith journey when you begin to seek God, to listen to Him, and to rely on Him alone; when your values change; when the order of what is important in your life is rearranged; when you can let go of what you thought were indispensable in your life, and let God; and when you accept your limitations and mortality, and finally accept God’s love and power.

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Last week a person came to confession because, he told me, it was time for him to journey to God’s heart. In honesty he opened his heart to God, and in humility he begged for forgiveness from God. His journey to God’s heart has finally and truly begun. I praise and thank God for His tremendous love and generosity to each one of us!

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There was another person I encountered last week. He comes every day to the columbarium in our seminary where the remains of his wife are interred. His wife died at the age of 32, leaving behind their children aged one, four and six. It is his faith in God that has sustained him, and made him believe that there is somehow meaning and sense in all that have happened. A person who has cried with his/her God is a person who is already journeying to God’s heart.

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I received my senior citizen card last Oct. 1. I wanted to bring it to Mass to show it to the congregation. But guess what? I misplaced it and until now I cannot find it!

A clear sign of “senior moments” setting in!

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Sharing with you a version of Psalm 23 for senior citizens: “Though I walk through the valley of ‘senior moments’ I shall fear no panic for my senior discount card is with me. A pair of reading glasses in each room shall comfort me. Surely, a receding hairline shall follow me all the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the restaurants of the Early Bird Special while enjoying retirement. Blessed are we in the last laps of years of our life!”

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October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Even just carrying a rosary with you is already a powerful help, and a reminder of Mama Mary’s presence in our journey.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, please instill in us and increase our faith. Amen.