It is no wonder that Abraham is called “our father in faith,” and not only because he was the first historically to know the God we call creator and Father.
But he truly is our father in faith historically because as Hebrews reminds us, he was faithful and obedient in and to his faith — completely.
God’s promises and love were well-shared with and blessed our Abraham. A man “as good as dead” in terms of producing offspring, by the promises and power and grace of God, ends up with “descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands on the shore.”
Abraham could testify personally to the expression of faith as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”
This is the same faith we are all called to.
+ Further, it is the same faith that Jesus the Christ asked of the disciples and asks now of us.
Faith— that we might get through troubled times, squalls and storms, waves breaking over the sides of our “boat of life,” and the feelings and fear that we are sinking and will drown.
To all of that, we have faith and trust in one who quiets the storms of life — faith and trust in one who tells the angry winds and seas to “be quiet” — and faith and trust in one who is “awakened” by our faith and trust to pour out
His love, grace, blessings, peace and intimate penetration into the deepest part of our spirit, soul, heart and being.
And even in the midst of our “lack of faith” and our “fear” — and even “terror.”
He gently, probing, lovingly, insistently — and in a way that beckons us to open up and “believe” — asks us: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
It is not a condemnation nor a put down; no, rather, it is a “pick me up” and an invitation that calls, invites, promises then fulfills what real faith can do to a person who discovers it and seeks its growth and fruitfulness in their life.
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
