The faith factor

The story is told about a man who went to a public library to borrow a book on suicide. When the librarian asked him why he was looking for this book, he said that he had lost all faith and hope, and that he wanted to end his life. Upon hearing this, the librarian replied, “We have a book, but I will not lend it out to you.” The man asked why not, whereupon the librarian said, “Tell me, who will return the book if you die?”

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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 14, 22-33), Jesus taught His disciples the value of faith when He walked on the water and calmed the angry sea. In fact, Peter, filled with faith, also walked on the water, but soon began to sink when he became terrified, leading Jesus to say, “O, you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

The Lord asks each one of us today:

“My child, how deep, how real, is your faith in Me?”

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We all encounter turbulence as we journey on. Life is not and cannot be storm-free. But we also must believe that all storms will pass. Our tears and fears are not permanent, and we are not cursed to suffer in this life. We believe that all will be well in the end. The faith factor in our lives is something we should not neglect or belittle.

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Whatever storms we go through in life—sickness, goodbyes, separations, persecutions, humiliations, poverty, deprivations—all these will not separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8, 35). May we see and experience God’s power and constant love, especially when the tempest is most severe, and may we hear the Lord telling us through it all: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

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Speaking of storms, I wonder if you have noticed that recently, some typhoons have threatened to directly hit us, but somehow God diverted them northward. Did we ever thank God at all for sparing our country from more calamities and destruction? And so today we pray: Thank you, Lord, for the countless times you spared us from misfortunes, and thank you, o God, for the many blessings You bestow on us which we often take for granted or are not even aware of.

Faith makes us grateful. Faith makes us humble, faith makes us appreciative of everything—good or bad, happy or sad, big or small. If you are not humble, appreciative and grateful, maybe it is because you have little faith in God, and are dependent on your personal and worldly resources.

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What has kept you and what keeps you afloat all these years? It would be good to reflect on or even share with others your “survival kit” through life. When everything and everyone has gone, what or who do you hold on to? To borrow the line of a song: “When friends turn their backs on you/and you’re so helpless and don’t know what to do/I’ll be on your side to comfort you/yes, my love will see you through.”

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“I learned from my past relationships that it is wrong to love with all your heart. Always leave something for yourself so that when the relationship falls, you will not be totally devastated.” Words of great truth and wisdom from Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao. Indeed, let us put less trust and dependence on people or things of this world, and more on God, for in the end all these will not fill or save us. The most important journey in life is our journey to God’s heart.

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August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. Mama Mary was a woman with simple but constant faith. She who was humble of heart was exalted above all in the end. Humility, humility, humility. Yes, unless and until we learn humility, we have not really learned anything good, and worthy.

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When a person becomes so preoccupied with the acquisition and accumulation of worldly riches, prestige, power, and fame, isn’t that a sign of lack of faith in God? When a person steals money just to be secure for the future, isn’t that an insult to God who has promised that He will provide? Let us listen today to the admonition of St. Teresa of Avila: “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.”

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Think about this: “Never worry about the delay of your success compared to others because the construction of a palace takes more time than that of an ordinary building.” So if God doesn’t respond immediately to your request, He is just constructing a big answer to your prayer.

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“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, increase my faith. Help me not to neglect or belittle the faith factor in my life. Amen.