Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons: 7 August 2016

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is a wonderful phrase in the letter to the Hebrews; 'Faith is the realization of what is hoped forand evidence of things not seen. (Heb: 11.1).

The author of this letter uses this phrase as an example of a type of faith, in this case Abraham, which does not demand evidence or proof of the existence of God, but instead builds on a deeper, inner, relationship of trust that Abraham has discovered with God. This intimacy produces for those who open themselves to Gods presence, the gift of hope, so that hope becomes one of the all-encompassing aspects of our own journey towards the fulfilment of the promises God has made to us all.

Now you and I are also biblical figures like Abraham. Our Christian faith, like it or not, is rooted deep in the Bible and as Abraham discovered in his own life built on the relationship God has promised with his people revealed in the oracles of God in our scriptures. We too need to learn, and also accept, that Christ is the Lord of the promises of God, revealed uniquely in him! It is also important to grasp that scripture is alive in us now, not as some powerful reference book of the past. We too have been promised, and given, salvation.

One of the characteristics of Abraham's faith is obedience, this is not a word contemporary people like too much, but that's because (and particularly in the Church) the real meaning of obedience has been distorted and misused. Too often it becomes 'do as I say', a command given from one ostensibly superior to others. But as you and I know, a key symbol of Jesus to those who minister in his name is be the servant of others, so to command or demand obedience needs challenging! The true meaning of obedience is all about listening to one another; God with us, we with others, discerning in a relationship of dialogue the right thing to do. That's the way and faith of Abraham

How does that help our daily life, enable us to face the complexities of human existence in today's world? We need to be a bit more like Abraham, open ourselves to the hidden presence of the Lord who comes to us, hoping a little more, loving a little better, trusting in God's promise. That is the real treasure of Gods love for us. As Jesus says, ' where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.'(Lk 12.33)

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain