THIS Sunday’s Bible readings highlight the importance of faith in God with an attitude of patient waiting. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1), the Second Reading tells us. “The expectation of your people was the salvation of the righteous and the destruction of their foes” (Wis. 18:7), says the First Reading; and “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks” (Lk. 12:35-36), Jesus declares in the gospel.
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews mentions several giants of faith for us to emulate – Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, but among all these, Abraham enjoys the distinction as the great model of faith (see Rom. 4 and Gal. 3).
At a ripe old age and with a wife who was equally old, Abraham believed God’s promise that he will have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. He also believed God’s word that he will receive the land he was sojourning as his inheritance, and that God will be the God of the people brought forth through him, and the people brought forth through him will be God’s people. Abraham’s faith was so strong, that he was even willing to offer his only son Isaac when asked to do so, only to be stopped by God who said, “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Gen. 22:12).
Abraham, like all the other models of faith, did not receive the fullness of the promise in their life here on earth. But what is praiseworthy is that God gave them something better, not in this passing world but in their eternal home in heaven. Truly, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:19).
When we pray, God always listens. He answers us, but not always in ways we want him to. His answer to our petition may be “Yes,” or it may be “No,” “Wait,” or “Something Better.” What we can be sure of is that he is a sovereign, all-knowing, and loving God who will give what is best for us, his children, and what is in line with his perfect character as revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ himself. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9).
What the Lord expects of us is faithfulness, not only in the conduct of our everyday lives but also in our anticipation of eternity. The gospel reminds us that Jesus will come again at an hour we do not expect. And so does death. Vigilance is thus a virtue. Like servants, our master should find us doing what he asked us to do, whenever he comes or no matter how long the waiting is. And if he sees our faithfulness, notice what Jesus tells us; “the master himself will have us recline at table and wait on us” (that is, serve us). Not only that; he will also make us in charge of all his property.
To the unfaithful, the opposite holds true. We may be too engrossed with evil or even with the cares of this world, neglecting our relationship with God and delaying our obedience to him. The tragic thing is that Jesus may come unexpectedly, or death may overtake us when we are spiritually least prepared. Needless to say, the soul then receives the punishment it deserves, and goes to the place reserved for those who rejected God’s offer of salvation.
With this reflection, may we come to our senses and set our eyes on our eternity. May we remember the words of Jesus, “Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Lk. 12:33-34).