From today’s Scripture: “All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.”—Heb 11:13-14

Faith is described as a supernatural gift, something that comes from God. But what do we make of those who do not appear to have the gift? What do we do when we struggle to keep faith ourselves? The patriarchs described in these and the accompanying passages are instructive here.

Abraham teaches us that faith can be seen as a word from God, which is always a gift that we respond to in trust. From here we find that this response in trust is actually faith. My own son has faith in me when I tell him I will return. He has this faith because he trusts me and believes my word. Jesus also tells us, his children, that he will return and take us to himself, which is our true homeland. We believe this because we have faith. And what is it to have faith but to trust in his word and promise?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, true word of the Father, by your Holy Spirit enliven faith within us by trusting in your word as we travel this pilgrim way and to our true home.

Today’s author is Nathan Smith, the director of ecumenism for Glenmary and field representative for the U.S. Catholic bishops.

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