The journey of faith takes us down quite a road. As conversion first stirs our hearts, we discover a joy beyond anything we could have imagined before. Through the eyes of faith, the Gospel just makes so much sense; it’s sustained and consistent; it’s the Truth. Coming to know God creates a real buoyancy of spirit that lightens every burden and eases every load. New faith in God brings such happiness, but the journey does not end there; it gets so much better.
As we continue along the path, our faith becomes stronger as it is challenged. Like silver refined in fire, we encounter opposition. In a new way, we encounter the world — we engage those who don’t believe, and we face those who are hostile to those who do believe. Our faith challenges their world view. If what we believe is true, then what they believe cannot be true. Therefore, in the eyes of a defiant world, we must be wrong, misguided, wacko. That criticism could challenge our faith, but today’s Gospel offers comfort.
Strength in the face of the world’s ire comes from the very faith the world seeks to undermine. Alone I cannot stand up to the slings and arrows, but with God I can. “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” As are all things in the spectacular tapestry of God’s design, this persistence in the face of opposition is purposeful.
When we stand firm and joyful in the Truth as the world rages, not only do we grow in faith, but we also awaken something in the world. The response of calm in the wake of chaos is unworldly, and it ignites curiosity in those who encounter it. So often, the rage turns to wonder; kindness in the face of cruelty softens hearts and unclenches fists. The hand once raised against us then finds courage to take our hand offered in friendship and join us on the path of faith.
Not in spite of the gift of faith we have received but rather because of it, we will encounter an angry world. That is to be expected throughout the journey because, as Jesus explains, “they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” We are called to respond to these trials like Christ did. Everything He did helped those around Him get to know the one who sent Him. Step by step, our journey of faith must strive to do the same.
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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Reading I Acts 25:13b-21 King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,…
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